Mekong region: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Switzerland is promoting sustainable development and democratic governance structures in Cambodia and in Laos by supporting projects on climate action, civic engagement and inclusive economic development.
Context Mekong region: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Sustained high economic growth since the early 2000s has enabled countries in the Mekong region to make progress in reducing poverty. However, inequalities have also increased, affecting the rural population in particular. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a major socio-economic crisis. The most vulnerable groups, such as women, ethnic minorities and remote communities, have suffered most from an economic model based on the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Switzerland’s cooperation programme for the Mekong Region 2022-2026 aims to improve the income prospects of young people, women and disadvantaged groups and to facilitate their inclusion in development processes. It aims to improve livelihoods by strengthening local governance structures and creating an enabling political environment.
Climate change and natural resources
Switzerland’s activities are directed at strengthening community resilience to natural disasters and climate change, and ensuring equitable access to and sustainable management of natural resources. In Cambodia, Swiss expertise in sustainable water use and irrigation management is helping to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change and natural disasters. About 150,000 people have been trained in sustainable and integrated farming and receive better access to technologies and services. In Laos, the collapse of a dam in 2018 caused the biggest man-made flood disaster in the country’s history. Switzerland has been sharing its expertise in dam construction to strengthen the regulatory and institutional framework for dam safety, aligning it with international standards. This is helping to protect downstream communities while contributing to safe energy production and building sustainable infrastructure. At a regional level, Switzerland supports the intergovernmental Mekong River Commission (MRC). The MRC is a centre of excellence and a regional platform for dialogue on water issues. Its mandate is to promote the sustainable development and management of water resources in the Mekong River Basin.
Governance and civic engagement
Switzerland promotes efficient and accountable public service delivery and civic engagement. In Cambodia, Switzerland is supporting a project to improve service delivery to citizens. The project aims to improve access to socially equitable and inclusive public services for all citizens through single-window centres, and to improve water and waste management at the local level. Switzerland also funds the Kantha Bopha hospitals, which treat around 80% of the country’s children. Democratic participation is a challenge in Laos. Switzerland provides opportunities for Lao civil society organisations to participate in the country’s development process and to work with the National Assembly so that local experiences, lessons learned and citizens’ voices can be incorporated. At the regional level, Switzerland is working to improve land governance. Land expropriation is one of the main causes of renewed poverty and food insecurity. The programme supports measures and approaches to create land tenure security for smallholder farmers.
Inclusive economic development
Switzerland’s activities are aimed at increasing employment and income opportunities, thereby making people more resilient to economic crises. A key challenge in Cambodia is to create decent and productive jobs for new entrants to the labour market. Switzerland contributes to a United Nations (UN) youth employment programme that helps young people gain access to skills training, quality education and jobs, while promoting fair and decent working conditions. In Laos, the tourism sector offers the greatest potential for job creation. Switzerland supports a vocational training system where young people can acquire skills relevant to the hospitality sector. At the regional level, labour migration is an important strategy for the unemployed to escape poverty and gain some financial stability. Switzerland supports access to decent work for migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in Thailand, as well as for returning migrants.
Approach and main partners
Switzerland’s Mekong Region Cooperation Programme 2022-2026 comprises a mix of modalities. These include mandates for enhancing Swiss visibility and Swiss expertise, as well as contributions to the programmes of other development partners and international organisations.
Switzerland’s main partners in the Mekong Region are:
- Swiss partners: Helvetas, Swisscontact, the interdisciplinary Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern, the Kantha Bopha Foundation and the Swiss Red Cross (SRC);
- Local ministries as well as provincial and regional authorities;
- Regional partners: Center for People and Forests, MRC, Land Equity International (LEI);
- Local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs): the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the German International Cooperation Society (GIZ), the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) and the Asian Parliamentary Centre (PCAsia);
- Bilateral donors: Germany, Nordic countries, the European Union (EU);
- Multilateral organisations: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (AsDB).
Stories
«A big step for development»
"The integration of the Kantha Bopha hospitals into the Cambodian healthcare system is a big step for development," says SDC Director-General Patricia Danzi.
Once the mines are gone, there is an explosion in development
Cambodia is one of the countries most heavily contaminated with landmines in the world. Thanks in part to Swiss support, the country can be cleared of mines and returned to the population.
SDC continuing to support the Kantha Bopha children's hospitals in Cambodia for another five years
The SDC will continue to support the hospitals founded by Dr Richner until 2027.
«The challenges facing Switzerland are also our daily reality»
Interview with Phonepaseuth Phouliphanh, secretary general of the Lao National Mekong Committee, during a visit to Switzerland to learn from Swiss water management practices.
Sharing know-how between the water towers of Switzerland and Mekong
From 6 to 9 September, Switzerland shared its experience in sustainable transboundary water management with delegations from South East Asia.
Preventing flooding in Cambodia: hope for an entire region
Taking this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction as an occasion to showcase a SDC-supported early warning tool in Cambodia.
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern