Lao PDR has a rich natural environment and many historical sites, attracting many tourists from overseas. In particular, by using the China-Laos high-speed railway, which opened in 2021, it is now possible to travel between Luang Prabang and Vientiane in about two hours. Although tourism was affected by COVID-19 pandemic, in 2024, 4 million foreign visitors from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, etc. visited Laos, indicating a strong recovery and growth in the tourism sector.
On the other hand, as the number of tourists from overseas increases, the volume of wastewater from hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing spots also increases. If not properly treated, this could lead to increased pollution load on the water environment. While centralized sewerage systems with collective treatment require significant time for pipeline installation and treatment plants construction, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution for areas experiencing rapid growth in tourism such as Lao PDR.
In this seminar, we would like to focus on decentralized wastewater treatment facilities, a key component of domestic wastewater treatment management, and discuss measures and challenges for their dissemination in Lao PDR.
The Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Government of Lao PDR, jointly organized the “Technical Seminar on Decentralized Wastewater Management in Vientiane Capital” via webinar in 2021 and 2022. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, it was not possible to hold the seminar in person.
We hope that this Seminar will provide a valuable opportunity for distinguished individuals, leaders, managers, specialists, and engineers from both countries, whether from the public or private sectors and involved in the wastewater management to engage in face-to-face discussions on this important issue.
On the other hand, as the number of tourists from overseas increases, the volume of wastewater from hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing spots also increases. If not properly treated, this could lead to increased pollution load on the water environment. While centralized sewerage systems with collective treatment require significant time for pipeline installation and treatment plants construction, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution for areas experiencing rapid growth in tourism such as Lao PDR.
In this seminar, we would like to focus on decentralized wastewater treatment facilities, a key component of domestic wastewater treatment management, and discuss measures and challenges for their dissemination in Lao PDR.
The Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Government of Lao PDR, jointly organized the “Technical Seminar on Decentralized Wastewater Management in Vientiane Capital” via webinar in 2021 and 2022. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, it was not possible to hold the seminar in person.
We hope that this Seminar will provide a valuable opportunity for distinguished individuals, leaders, managers, specialists, and engineers from both countries, whether from the public or private sectors and involved in the wastewater management to engage in face-to-face discussions on this important issue.
