JICA and Lao PDR Sign Subsidiary Agreement to Implement GCF REDD+ Results-Based Payment Project

On August 24, 2026, Ms. Yuko Mitsui, Senior Vice President of JICA, and Mr. Kykeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Government of Laos, signed a Subsidiary Agreement in Vientiane for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) REDD+ Results-Based Payment project entitled “Governance, Forest Landscapes and Livelihoods – Southern Laos Project (GFLL-SL Project).

The signing marks a major milestone toward the implementation of the GFLL-SL Project, which aims to strengthen forest governance and improve local livelihoods at both the national level and across five southern provinces of Laos: Savannakhet, Salavan, Champasak, Attapeu, and Sekong.

In the signing ceremony, Ms. Mitsui highlighted the project's significance as JICA’s first GCF project in the Mekong region. Deputy Minister Singnavong expressed strong expectations for the project, emphasizing its close alignment with Lao PDR’s national development strategies.

This agreement follows the approval by the 43rd GCF Board on October 29, 2025, granting approximately USD 61.46 million (about JPY 9.1 billion at the exchange rate at the time) in REDD+ results-based payments for Lao PDR’s successful reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation achieved between 2015 and 2018. Subsequently, JICA and the GCF formalized the conditions and responsibilities for the project by signing the Funded Activity Agreement on April 9, 2026.

The F-REDD 2 Project has continuously supported JICA and the Lao government in securing GCF funding and preparing the GFLL-SL Project. Thanks to the dedicated collaboration of all stakeholders, the foundation is now established for the official launch of the GFLL-SL Project.