Latest news with #DamSafetyTechnicalandInstitutionalAssistance
The Star
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos and Switzerland strengthen efforts to improve dam safety
VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Laos and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to safer hydropower development with the successful convening of the Steering Committee meeting for the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance (DSTIA) project in Vientiane. The meeting, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton recently, brought together key government officials, technical experts, and development partners to review progress and set priorities for the year ahead. Co-chaired by Bouathep Malaykham, Director General of the Department of Energy Industry and Safety Management under the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Björn Schranz, Head of the Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Program at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the Mekong region, the session marked another step forward in the growing partnership between the two countries. Since its launch in 2022, the DSTIA project has received CHF 5.36 million (around US$6.5 million) in funding from the Swiss Government, with implementation led by Helvetas Laos. Working closely with the Lao government and partners such as the National University of Laos, the Lao Association on Dams, and Electricité du Laos Generation (EDL-Gen), the project has made notable progress. It has supported the implementation of the 2022 Dam Safety Law, helped build the capacity of the newly established Department of Energy Industry and Safety Management, and improved monitoring, reporting, and emergency planning systems. A major milestone highlighted at the meeting was the launch of Laos's first-ever Dam Engineering Course at the National University of Laos in February 2025. This course represents a significant achievement in developing homegrown technical expertise and reducing long-term reliance on external specialists. The project also serves as a platform for connecting Lao institutions with Swiss experts to find sustainable, long-term solutions for dam safety. The overarching goal is to ensure that the country's growing hydropower infrastructure is managed safely and responsibly, protecting more than 1.5 million people living downstream. During the meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed the main achievements of 2024 and formally endorsed the operational work plan for 2025. This plan focuses on enhancing safety protocols, advancing professional training, and continuing institutional reforms to ensure that dam development is both secure and sustainable. In his remarks, Bouathep Malaykham emphasized the vital role DSTIA plays in strengthening the country's dam safety institutions and expressed appreciation for Switzerland's ongoing support. Schranz echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of combining Swiss technical expertise with Lao leadership to build a more resilient energy sector. The Steering Committee also adopted several recommendations to guide the next phase of work, including improved cooperation across sectors, increased capacity-building support for local agencies, and greater transparency in how data is shared and used. Looking ahead, an independent Mid-Term Review of the DSTIA project will provide insights into its effectiveness and ensure alignment with both national development goals and international standards. - Laotian Times
The Star
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos, Switzerland deepen partnership on dam safety
VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing dam safety in Laos through the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project, when a steering committee endorsed the 2025 work plan. This commitment was underlined at the project's second steering committee meeting, which took place in Vientiane on Thursday (May 8). The department's Director General, Bouathep Malaykham, delivered his remarks at the meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by the Director General of the Department of Energy Industry Safety Management (DESM) under the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), Bouathep Malaykham, and Head of the Climate Change & Natural Resource Management Programme at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the Mekong region, Bjorn Schranz. Implemented by Helvetas with support from the Swiss Government and in close partnership with DESM/MEM, the National University of Laos, the Lao Association on Dams, and EDL-Gen, the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for dam safety across Laos. Swiss experts contribute through technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and support for regulatory development. The steering committee reviewed the key achievements of 2024 and officially endorsed the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance 2025 work plan. This marks a continued commitment to bolstering dam safety standards, institutional effectiveness, and technical resilience in line with national and international best practices. Bouathep acknowledged the crucial role that dam safety technical and institutional assistance plays in building both technical and institutional capabilities within the Ministry of Energy and Mines and partner institutions. He expressed sincere appreciation for Switzerland's ongoing support and acknowledged the tangible progress achieved through this strategic cooperation. Schranz reaffirmed Switzerland's long-standing partnership with Laos, saying that the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project reflects a shared dedication to sustainable infrastructure, improved risk governance, and community safety. He praised the value of Swiss expertise while emphasising the importance of Lao ownership to ensure long-term sustainability. A key highlight of the meeting was the recognition of the launch of Laos' first dam engineering course on Feb 13 this year. Developed in partnership with the National University of Laos and Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), this milestone reflects the growing local capacity and shared investment in home-grown knowledge and resilience. The steering committee adopted several recommendations to enhance project implementation, including strengthening cross-sectoral coordination, expanding capacity-building efforts to provincial and sectoral agencies, and promoting data transparency and information-sharing mechanisms. The meeting also noted the upcoming Mid-Term Review by an independent third party, which will provide valuable insights to refine the project's strategic direction and ensure alignment with Laos' development priorities. At the close of the meeting, Bouathep underscored the importance of continued collaboration, legislative reform, and institutional strengthening to safeguard the communities and ecosystems that depend on hydropower. At the same time, Schranz reiterated Switzerland's commitment to joint action, stressing that shared responsibility and co-creation are essential to maximising the project's impact. The meeting concluded with a strong sense of shared purpose and dedication to building a safer, more resilient dam safety framework in Laos, anchored in mutual respect, technical excellence, and a long-term development vision. The Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project aims to improve dam safety across public institutions and academic sectors in Laos. Financed by the SDC and implemented by Helvetas, the project contributes to the safety and well-being of approximately 1.5 million people by mitigating risks linked to dam failure or poor operational management. - Vientiane Times/ANN
