30 April 2014: The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao National Mekong Secretariat, and the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, organized a Technical Workshop for the East and South East Asia (ESEA) Regional Project on Demonstration of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) in Open Burning Activities.

The workshop convened in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, from 24-26 April 2014, in response to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

The regional project is currently in its preparatory stage, and involves five countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Philippines and Viet Nam. The objective is sustainable release reduction of unintentionally produced POPs releases, achieved by enhancing guidelines and guidance on BAT/BEP in open burning practices in the ESEA region.

According to UNIDO, it seeks to introduce BAT/BEP measures on priority sectors defined by participating countries through the ESEA BAT/BEP Forum, a platform for countries to share information and experiences in implementing BAT/BEP. [IISD RS Sources] [UNIDO BAT/BEP Webpage]