GIZ Laos

About us

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Laos (officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic) on behalf of the German Government since 1993.
Despite strong economic growth and rising incomes over recent years, Laos remains one of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). One reason is its largely undiversified economy, which is focused on export sectors including mining and energy. 
GIZ works in Laos mainly on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and focuses on two priority areas:
-  rural development
-  sustainable economic development
GIZ is supporting the Lao Government in developing regulations and laws relating to land policy and land rights. This formalises land use rights in rural areas, helping the rural population to improve their legal and economic position. GIZ also advises the Government on sustainable forestry and the effective management of protected areas with a view to curbing deforestation and loss of biodiversity as well as promoting implementation of global climate change mitigation mechanisms.
GIZ is also supporting a project co-financed by the European Union and Switzerland to promote good governance, the rule of law and civil society. Finally, it is supporting the work of the international Mekong River Commission on cross-border water management.