To support Lao DWR's mandate to develop river basin plans, the Australian Water Partnership (AWP) provided support to develop a basin planning framework and, its testing in the form of a river basin plan for the Nam Xam Basin, which also informed similar processes in other priority basins which are being supported by other multilateral and bilateral donors. 

Alluvium, commissioned by AWP, supported Lao DWR in developing a river basin planning framework for the Nam Xam Basin, providing a model for other priority basins, aiming to enhance DWR’s capacity and create an implementation roadmap for operationalising the plan.

Key activities included reviewing water governance policies, engaging stakeholders, integrating socioeconomic and environmental considerations, drafting and revising the basin plan in Lao and English, and presenting the final plan to national and provincial stakeholders. This initiative strengthens basin management in Lao PDR and informs future planning efforts with support from multilateral and bilateral donors.