Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Clearance fell 6% after a Stop Work order issued by the United States in January 2025 interrupted operations in dry season months that are normally the most productive but the United States subsequently resumed funding and maintained its status as much the biggest contributor to the UXO sector’s humanitarian operations. The NRA approved and released 24 chapters of national mine action standards updated and aligned with international standards (IMAS). They included a land release standard with a prioritisation matrix and an information management standard rolled out to operators in 2026. The National Regulatory Authority (NRA), supported by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), prepared a five-year information management strategic plan (for 2026–30), which was due to be officially launched in 2026. Tetra Tech, funded by the United States and working with Mines Advisory Group (MAG), conducted field Phase 1 trials of a predictive survey tool demonstrating potential for accelerating land release.

• Lao PDR authorities should follow up the improvement in streamlining procedures for negotiating MoUs and engage with operators on additional measures that promote efficiency.
• The NRA should facilitate exploration and testing of survey methods to increase the efficiency of release of areas with cluster munition remnants (CMR).
• The NRA should ensure consistent application by operators and authorities at provincial and district levels of the prioritisation matrix adopted in the updated national standard on land release.
• The NRA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) should work with relevant ministries to enable use of drones for survey to improve operational efficiency.
• MoFA and the NRA should develop a resource mobilisation strategy to diversify funding for the UXO sector.

Click here to download the full "Clearing Cluster Munition Remnants 2026" report for Lao PDR.