Phaivanh Sidavong, 55, beams with pride, her voice cheerful as she guides us to her home in the peaceful Huat Village, nestled in the tranquil Kham District of Xiengkhouang Province. As she walks, her enthusiasm is palpable—this is more than just a story of change; it’s a testament to resilience and innovation in a community that has discovered a new path to prosperity.  Huat Village, a tight-knit community known for its rice and corn production, has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past year. Once scattered with discarded rice straw and dried corn cobs, these materials now have new life. Each house in the village has turquoise sacks filled with dried corn cobs carefully stacked under the stilts. A stark contrast to a year ago when these leftovers would have simply been burned—wasted—without a second thought. For generations, families in Huat Village, like many rural communities in Laos, relied on rice and corn farming as their main source of income. After the harvest, the waste—rice straw and dried corn cobs—would be burned, the quickest and cheapest way to dispose of them.   This practice not only caused harmful emissions, disrupting the serene beauty of the area, but it also posed environmental and health risks, a concern shared by lecturers at Souphanouvong University’s Faculty of Agriculture. “There’s a cost to the environment, and to us,” says Dr. Nouphone Manivanh, a university lecturer and member of the project team. “Every year, even in the city of Luang Prabang, the smoke fills the air, covering the beauty of the landscape. It’s a cycle we needed to break.”   Enter innovation. In a Small-Grants Programme- supported initiative, eight families, including Phaivanh’s, were introduced to sustainable alternatives. Instead of discarding the waste, they learned to grow oyster mushrooms, ferment animal feed using rice straws, and even make charcoal from corn cobs. The results were nothing short of revolutionary. The once-neglected agricultural waste has become a new source of income for the village.  Phaivanh, with her contagious laughter and warm spirit, remembers when her neighbor approached her, eager to learn how they could grow mushrooms too. “We’re like one big family here,” she says. “We help each other. When we’re packing the rice straw into bags or waiting for the mushrooms to bloom, we’re all together, lending a hand.” Though the mushroom-growing project is still in its early stages, the impact is clear. Unlike traditional rice farming, which yields only two harvests a year, mushrooms provide a much quicker return. Phaivanh can now sell up to 40 kilos of mushrooms per month, at 50,000 LAK per kilo. Each pod can yield 3 to 4 rounds of mushrooms before the spores run out, far outpacing the income from rice farming. The community’s success has sparked a ripple effect. The villagers are no longer just surviving—they’re thriving. For Phaivanh and many others, this transformation is more than financial; it’s a deep sense of pride and achievement. “We’ve turned something we used to burn into something we can sell, something we can be proud of,” she says, her smile wide. Phaivanh even mentioned that recently, introduced by her niece, she has embraced digital opportunities and started taking mushroom orders from her friends on Facebook!   In a village once known for its agricultural waste, the people of Huat Village have found new value in what was once discarded. Their story is not just one of sustainability but of hope and possibility—proof that with a little innovation and a lot of community spirit, even the most ordinary materials can be turned into extraordinary opportunities. 

(10 December, Xamneua, Lao PDR) – In the mist-covered highlands of Houaphanh Province, Vongsone carefully inspects his morning harvest among the red coffee cherries. A few years ago, this land grew a different crop — one that tethered communities to poverty and criminal networks. Today, these same hills are rewriting their story. This transition is at the heart of the Alternative Development Field Workshop, titled "From Theory to Practice," taking place this week in Xamneua District. Sponsored by the Government of China and organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the Mekong MOU framework, the event brings together government representatives from the Mekong and beyond, development partners, and practitioners to witness firsthand how long-term investment in licit livelihoods is reshaping the region. A Harvest of Hope Since 2015, UNODC, in close partnership with the Lao Government, has been working on the ground in Houaphanh, a region historically affected by opium poppy cultivation. The strategy was clear: replace the illicit drug economy with a sustainable value chain that empowers farmers "from seed to cup". The result is the Vanmai Coffee Cooperative. Established in 2020 to unite farmers and strengthen their collective bargaining power, Vanmai has become a beacon of success. Today, the programme supports 914 farming households in Houaphanh alone, helping them secure Fairtrade certification and connect with international buyers in Europe. “When I grew opium, I earned about 200,000 kip a year. Through the Alternative Development project, I began growing coffee and received support with farming, processing, and access to markets. Today, I earn much more - enough to send my children to school. Last year, I was even able to build a house in town for my family.” said Vongsone, coffee farmer, Ban Bone Village, Xamneua, Lao PDREmpowerment in Every Cup Beyond economics, the impact is deeply social. The Vanmai Women’s Network, established in 2021, has opened doors for women to take on leadership roles and engage in commercial activities. Income generated from coffee sales is being reinvested by communities into essential infrastructure, including schools, electricity, and sanitation. Farmers are also adopting climate-smart practices, such as shade-grown coffee and organic composting, ensuring that their development does not come at the cost of the environment.Looking Ahead As delegates gather in Xamneua to visit the coffee plantations and processing centres, the focus is also on the future. The successful model in Houaphanh is already being replicated in Phongsaly Province, where an additional 393 households are now receiving support, bringing the total beneficiary base to over 1,300 families.“Alternative Development is not about replacing one crop with another. It is about building a value chain that restores trust and opens long-term opportunity. What we have seen here is the progress made through sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and, above all, communities who have welcomed us into their homes. That trust carries responsibility, and it is not something we take lightly.” Said Thida Soukthavone, Officer-in-Charge, Alternative Development Programme, UNODC Lao PDR OfficeSupported by the Governments of Luxembourg, Italy, Germany, the United States, and Japan, this initiative proves that with the right support, communities can transition from vulnerability to resilience — one coffee bean at a time.The blog is written by Daiming Huang, Digital Media Officer, UNODC ROSEAP

at the UN House in Vientiane. The celebration reaffirmed the lasting partnership between the Government and the UN, with a focus on SDG acceleration, the Pact for the Future, and youth engagement.H.E. Dr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, was the Guest of Honour, joined by senior government officials, Ambassadors, Heads of UN Agencies, youth representatives, and civil society and development partners. The event opened with the launch of “The UN at Country Level – A Practical Guide to the United Nations Operational System”, co-hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Embassy of Switzerland. Speaking alongside the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Jean-Gabriel Duss, Regional Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), presented the guide, emphasizing its role in clarifying how the UN operates in countries, supporting governments, and fostering effective partnerships. The guide forms part of Switzerland’s “UN Red Books Collection,” translating complex UN processes into practical tools for governments and partners. The commemoration featured a series of showcases of UN’s history in Lao PDR and joint initiatives shaping the current UN—Lao PDR Cooperation Framework. A symbolic UN House “Tree of Growth”, narrated by UNDP Resident Representative Martine Therer, placed the preserved wood from a spirit tree lost in a 2024 storm side-by-side with a recently replanted tree, a testament to resilience, renewal and the enduring roots of Lao–UN cooperation.The Prime Minister was then guided through an exhibition of “70 Years of Partnership for People, Planet and Progress” by UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov. Each exhibit showcased a story of UN partnerships and results, told by youth representatives, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programs led by UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF; UXO clearance by UNDP; social protection and youth employment initiatives by ILO, IOM and UNV; the Van Mai Coffee tasting by UNODC; and work on food systems and nutrition by WFP, FAO and IFAD. Each stop connected past achievements to ongoing national efforts to advance the SDGs and accelerate development outcomes. A screening of the short film “Lao UN70: Our Shared Story” showcased the history of Lao–UN cooperation, alongside young people sharing their vision for the next decade. Addressing the guests, the UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the seven decades of partnership and the UN’s role in supporting Lao PDR’s development journey, including institution-building, poverty reduction, and preparation for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. He stressed that youth will be central in shaping the next chapter of innovation, inclusion, and climate action. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and emphasized the importance of youth engagement, noting that the LaoUN70 logo, designed by a young Lao artist and launched earlier this year, exemplifies the creativity and leadership of the country’s next generation.The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the Lao UN70 commemorative postage stamps, which incorporate the LaoUN70 logo. The stamps symbolize unity, continuity and a shared commitment to a peaceful and inclusive future. The formal programme concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony featuring the LaoUN70 and UN@80 insignia, followed by informal discussions and networking. The commemoration took place at a historic moment, as the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025 and Lao PDR advances toward LDC graduation in its SDG journey. It highlighted the UN’s sustained partnership with Lao PDR over seven decades, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to inclusive, youth-driven and forward-looking development. 

this year’s global theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters” resonates deeply with the national context of Lao PDR. It is a message grounded in data, economics and human security; the costs of disasters are immensely underestimated, and the price of inaction is unsustainable.Lao PDR is at High RiskThe UNDRR’s 2025 Global Assessment Report estimates that the true cost of disasters is 11 times higher than the direct economic costs, standing at an estimated $2.3 trillion a year. For countries like Lao PDR, each disaster can cause cumulative and disproportionate damage, wiping out development gains, overwhelming public systems, increasing debt burden, and negatively impacting on MSMEs and a growing private sector. Without strategic investment, this cycle will worsen as international assistance declines and humanitarian needs rise.Lao PDR is among the countries most vulnerable to climate and disaster risks. The 2024 INFORM Index classified Lao PDR as having very high exposure to floods, with medium vulnerability and high lack of coping capacity. According to the Lao disaster database, between 2000 and 2024, a total of 4,483 disasters events, mostly floods, storms and landslides, affected over 4 million people and cost over USD 600 million in economic losses. In 2024 alone, monsoon floods and tropical storms impacted over 271,000 people, causing USD 313 million in direct damages. As of August 2025, an estimated 305,258 people, including 137,828 women, were affected, with damages exceeding USD 114 million.Moreover, Lao PDR’s temperature is rising at 0.05°C annually, potentially leading to a 3.6°C increase by the end of the century, with the southern part of the country heating even faster. In April 2023, Laos recorded its hottest day ever, nearing 44°C, putting agricultural productivity, energy output and public health increasingly at risk. It is projected that by 2050, 4 million people in Lao PDR will be exposed to extreme heat, compared to a baseline of zero exposure in the year 2000. A Strategic Shift Toward ResilienceTo reverse these trends, countries must accelerate the full implementation of the Sendai Framework in the remaining five years.Lao PDR is making deliberate shifts toward proactive risk governance. At the country level, the Disaster Management Law (2019) and the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (NSDRR) 2021–2030 provide the legislative and strategic backbone for a more resilient nation.  Key institutions such as the Central Disaster Management Committee, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, and the National Disaster Management Office under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, anchor coordination. Subnational Disaster Management Committees (DMCs), now operational in all provinces, as well as in some districts and villages, ensure that local needs and capacities are integrated into national planning. Strengthening Systems and GovernanceLao PDR has also made tangible progress in strengthening disaster and climate resilience. Early warning systems are being enhanced through improved hydrometeorological infrastructure, and broader community engagement. The National Early Warnings for All (EW4All) roadmap aims to improve inclusive, accessible and actionable early warning messages to all population, including the most vulnerable and remote communities across the country. Risk knowledge has expanded with the upgrading of the Lao Disaster Information system to track historical disaster events, the launch of impact-based forecasting pilots, and anticipatory action-based interventions. This risk knowledge plays a key part in developing and implementing national and sub national disaster risk reduction strategies and action plans.Under the Lao PDR - United Nations Cooperation Framework (2026-2031), UN agencies have come together to support the Government in strengthening policies, strategies and programmes to build resilience. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee mechanism supports government leadership on disaster preparedness and response. Together, these initiatives are making schools, health centers and food systems more climate-resilient and shock-responsive.But more remains to be done. Hydrometeorological coverage and early warning dissemination are uneven. A recent National Early Warning System Perception Survey found that 41% of the interviewed population, particularly those in remote and vulnerable communities, still lack access to early warning messages. And local disaster management committees often lack the technical and financial resources needed to act effectively.And fully implementing the Sendai Framework requires prioritizing financing for resilience and de-risking investment and financing.Finance and Innovation in Climate and Disaster Risk ReductionFor the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we are calling on everyone to “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters”. This means two distinct actions: Increasing funding for disaster risk reduction and building resilience, especially within national budgets and international assistance,. and ensuring that public and private sector investments are guided by an understanding of climate and disaster risks. Making all development risk-informed will not only prevent the creation of new disaster risks, but will also help protect these investments from being lost to disasters.Recognizing the deep link between climate change and disaster risks, Lao PDR is aligning its financial systems to support resilience. The 2024 Carbon Decree marks a significant milestone, creating a regulatory framework for a domestic carbon market that will fund forest protection and low-emission development. The recently launched UN Joint Programme on Green and Climate Finance, led by the Ministry of Finance, is working to integrate disaster risk reduction objectives into public budgeting, and facilitating access to international climate finance. The Ministry of Finance is leading work to quantify disaster and climate risks to better manage fiscal exposure and prioritize investments in risk mitigation. This approach supports the implementation of the National DRR Action Plan and aligns with the Financing Strategy of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP). By integrating risk data into public financial management, Lao PDR can make more informed, cost-effective decisions that protect development gains.Despite these innovations, funding remains a constraint. Many disaster risk management plans, particularly at subnational levels, remain underfunded. The Way ForwardTo continue and further consolidate the shift from vulnerability to resilience, there are several strategic steps that Lao PDR can take.First, to fully operationalize the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021-2030, the Government could elaborate clear, costed targets and make dedicated budget allocations at all administrative levels. Second, accelerate the implementation of the National Early Warnings for All roadmap, ensuring that early warning systems reach all communities, especially those at greatest risk. Well-funded early warning systems are among the most cost-effective investments in disaster resilience, with high cost savings and returns in the rage of 1:20 cost-benefit ratio.Third, all development sectors including education, agriculture, health, infrastructure, natural resource management and social welfare, would significantly benefit from integrating disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures – so that public spending in every sector adds to resilience rather than amplifying risk. Fourth, risk-informed financing mechanisms could be expanded, including scaling-up budget tagging for disaster risk reduction, establishing contingency funds, and fostering public-private partnerships that leverage innovation and investment for resilience building.Lao PDR would also benefit from an integrated national risk platform, enabling better data-driven planning and decision-making. Reliable risk data ensures that funds are directed where they can have the greatest long-term impact.Finally, by institutionalizing mechanisms to address long-term climate loss and damage and by empowering local actorsto manage resources and implement community-based resilience measures, Lao PDR can ensure that every kip invested contributes to sustainable, locally-owned resilience.A Call to ActionResilience is a choice between short-term reaction or long-term protection. Between escalating costs or sustainable development. Between humanitarian crises or empowered, risk-informed communities.Risks can be turned into opportunities by investing in resilience. By funding resilience rather than disasters, Lao PDR can secure a safer, more sustainable future for all, and share its experiences in the region and beyond, to strengthen a wider cooperation in what truly is a vital field.OP-ED copenned By Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR, and Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific