The World Bank leveraged the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to help the Lao PDR improve healthcare waste and wastewater management through the COVID-19 Emergency Response…

COVID-19 has been a global catastrophe killing millions, damaging economies, and impairing human development. Yet, the pandemic has also been a catalyst for much needed health system reform,…

Research and surveys consistently show that firms do not rank tax incentives as the primary reason for choosing where to invest. Instead, political and macroeconomic stability, the legal…

Laos relies on global and regional trade for economic growth. The World Bank supports efforts to streamline its border clearance.

Road safety in Laos is a major public health issue causing economic losses of around 5% of GDP, with challenges including unsafe road design, weak compliance with traffic rules, and limited…

How can countries build better quality roads within a predictable budget? Looking at data from both developed and developing countries, a new World Bank study highlights the benefits and…

A World Bank study of 1,900 Lao citizens found 1/3 burn waste at home, while 2/3 use waste-collection, recycle or reuse. A 3rd have no access to waste-collection services. Improved access to waste…

Find out how the World Bank is supporting Indigenous Peoples’ land tenure security through climate finance.

With extensive coastlines, many island nations, and low-lying territories, the East Asia and Pacific region is highly susceptible to climate-related disasters. The region has developing and…

With nearly 10,000 inhabited islands, there are thousands of diverse island communities across Southeast Asia facing the challenge of beaches covered in plastic. Photo: Shutterstock/