Investment and Market Research Mission goes to Lao PDR

ASEAN-Korea Centre Hosts Sustainable Waste Management Seminar in Lao PDR, Bringing together Government and Industry Leaders

- Representatives from government agencies and private sector of waste management industry from 5 Mekong ASEAN countries and South Korea gather for investment and market research mission (July 2-3, Lao PDR) -

The ASEAN-Korea Centre (Secretary General Kim Jae-shin) will be hosting a seminar on ASEAN-Korea sustainable waste management in Vientiane, Lao PDR from July 2 to 3, as part of its 'Investment & Market Research Mission 2024*. Serving as a platform for business networking, the Mission will bring together officials and business representatives from South Korea and the 5 Mekong countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to participate in the following events' which will consist of 1) Mekong-Korea Sustainable Waste Management Seminar, 2) Site Visit to the Integrated Resources Recovery Centre, and 3) Mekong-Korea Waste Management Business Technology Sharing and Networking Sessi
on.
* Since its establishment in 2009, the ASEAN-Korea Centre has been actively organizing investment and market research missions to explore more investment opportunities across diverse industries to strengthen ASEAN-Korea cooperation.

In light of the ASEAN region's rapid population growth and urbanization, waste management has emerged as a critical and promising sector for promoting regional ESG trends and building a circular economy within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Recognizing the importance of waste management for sustainable development in both regions, the Centre is organizing this year's investment and market research mission in Lao PDR to raise awareness, deepen creative economic exchanges and foster partnerships between ASEAN and Korea, which showcases the Centre's commitment to continuing this legacy to strengthen ASEAN-Korea cooperation across various industries.

As part of the Mission, the 'Sustainable Waste Management in the Mekong Region Seminar' will be held on July 2 to discuss industry trends and government policies, and to strengthen business networks between ASEAN and Korea. Session 1 covers the status and the future of regional cooperation on waste management, featuring presentations from relevant international organizations. In Session 2, officials from relevant ministries and agencies in Korea and Mekong countries share their respective waste management policies and visions. During Session 3, companies at the forefront of the industry present their latest waste management technologies and plan for ASEAN-Korea cooperation.

On July 3, participants will have a chance to visit the Integrated Resources Recovery Centre to learn about waste management facilities in Lao PDR. They will then receive a briefing on the Riverine Plastic Monitoring Program at the Mekong River Commission Headquarters. Lastly, they will stop by the Vientiane City Office for Management and Service to gain insights into the status and challenges of waste management in Vientiane.