Pro-poor water supply legislation development for public-private-community partnerships in Lao P.D.R.

The Government of Lao P.D.R. (GOL) has developed a national policy for growth and poverty eradication to move from least-developed country status. One of the cornerstones in this policy to act as a catalyst for the development of the country is the provision of sustainable water supply services to 90% of urban, small town and rural communities by 2020. This is a daunting challenge for the water supply sector partners in Lao P.D.R.. Currently more than 80 small towns and 5,000 remote villages lack water supply, whilst those currently with services often suffer from poor operational management leading to degradation of the infrastructure. GOL recognizes there is a need to mobilize new management and financing mechanisms to attain access to sustainably operated and maintained water supply services to reach the 2020 target presented in the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES). This paper presents an overview of recent government-led studies to develop pro-poor water supply legislation.