Accédez à l'intranet

• FR
• EN

Connexion

Ou

Si vous n'avez pas de compte Mail LuxDev

J'ai oublié mon mot de passe

Aide

LuxDev, agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement

• 2020
• • 7 Janvier
  • Par Philip Pearce
  • 
  • LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS – “Law and Development from the Lao PDR’s Perspective”Second Annual Legal Research Forum held at the Faculty of Law and Political Science

  The second Annual Legal Research Forum took place on 19 December 2019 at the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) of the National University of Laos (NUoL), with the support of the Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos (Project LAO/031) and the University of Luxembourg.

  

  The forum was attended by Prof. Dr. Somsy Gnophanxay, President of NUoL, and Assoc. Prof. Viengvilay Thiengchanxay, Dean of the FLP, as well as a number of legal practitioners, academics, students and members from various organisations and the public.

  This year’s edition was held under the theme of “Law and Development from the Lao PDR’s Perspective” and included presentations on topics such as tax law, administrative responsibility for water pollution, minimum flows of rivers, labour laws, and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Lao PDR. The majority of presenters were faculty members of the FLP, with the event providing an open space for the discussion of ideas and recommendations on how the rule of law can contribute towards the development of the Lao PDR. Additionally, it allowed FLP researchers, some of whom have recently completed their doctoral studies abroad, to present the results of their research.

  The forum was the result of the collaboration between the FLP, Project LAO/031 and the University of Luxembourg. The University of Luxembourg specifically provided its expertise at the event by sending doctoral researcher Mr. Andrii Hubai to present on the investment protection system and the mechanism of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).

  The forum complemented a recent conference on different perspectives on good governance and the rule of law, organised by the EU and UNDP. Both initiatives also served as a platform to revisit the progress made under the Legal Sector Master Plan (LSMP), which was adopted in 2009 with the goal of establishing a rule of law state by 2020. 

  ↑ Haut de la page
• 2019
• • 26 Décembre
  • Par Vjosa Morina
  • 
  • Bureau Kosovo KSV/019
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  KOSOVO - Human Capacity Development Facility (HCDF)

  In the framework of their donor assistance programmes, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of Norway are supporting the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to meet the requirements of the Stability and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union (EU).

  As the implementation of the Facility has been delegated to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of European Integration (MEI), is appointed to implement the Facility in the name of the Government. HCDF brought together all line ministries, national-level institutions and agencies that are involved in implementing the EU law in Kosovo.

  In order to meet its SAA obligations, Kosovo needs to engage in further democratic reforms, achieve social and economic development, and progressively align with EU legislation and standards, so that it is able to fully implement the EU acquis upon accession. These beneficiary institutions have all committed to use HCDF as an added value and tool to achieve their institution’s goals towards fulfilling their obligations deriving from the SAA.

  

  Starting from specific trainings of different departments and agencies, to technical assistance in writing legislation that Kosovo has had no previous experience on, HCDF is supporting the increase of capacities of all officials involved in 18 EU Aquis Chapters, on Public Administration Reform and communication efforts on the implementation of the SAA.

  The main coordinating institution, MEI, together with the beneficiary institutions have planned all activities to be implemented throughout 2019.

  HCDF has already started with some activities which affect the horizontal theme on Public Administration Reform, EU Chapter Aquis on Judiciary and fundamental rights, Intellectual property law, while the other planned activities will be implemented until the end of year. In parallel, MEI and beneficiary institutions are planning the activities for the next year of HCDF.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 5 Décembre
  • Par Philip Pearce
  • 
  • LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS - 2019 accomplishments are ratified and 2020 plan is approved.

  During the Steering Committee of the Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos, LAO/031, chaired by Mrs. Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Bounsavard Boupha, Vice Minister of Justice, and co-chaired by Mr. Sam Schreiner, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg in Lao PDR, it was noted that the LAO/031 project had made great progress over the course of 2019.

  The meeting took place on 28 November 2019 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

  Its most notable achievements are:

  • the establishment of four (4) legal aid offices in various provinces; and
  • the project contribution towards increasing awareness on legal issues and the rule of law via the production of technical guides and the dissemination of the newly established Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Law for legal practitioners.

  Mr. Boupha stated that these accomplishments put the project’s activities in the right direction and that these are aligned with the priorities of the Ministry of Justice and the Lao PDR’s efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.

  The Project Steering Committee also:

  • considered strategic decisions with regard to the implementation of the project;
  • reviewed project performance; and
  • validated and endorsed the annual work plan as well as other resolutions required for the smooth running of the project.

  For the next year, the PSC stated that Project LAO/031 will continue with the activities carried out in 2019, but will put further emphasis on the Faculty of Law and Political Science’s target to attain ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) standards by the end of the project in 2022.

  With the project’s Mid-Term Evaluation planned for early 2020, both Mrs. Siriphongphanh and Mr. Schreiner commended the project for its work and the high number of beneficiaries that have already benefitted from the numerous capacity building workshops organised by the project.

  The LAO/031 project is financed by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 4 Novembre
  • Par Manon LIENARD
  • 
  • Bureau Niger NIG/025 NIG/026 NIG/027
  • Agriculture, sylviculture et pêche Eau et assainissement Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  NIGER - La Coopération luxembourgeoise investit à la hauteur des enjeux

  Les interventions luxembourgeoises au Niger ont enregistré des performances positives au cours des trois dernières années, en particulier dans les secteurs du développement rural et de l’eau et assainissement. Ainsi, à l’occasion de la XIIe Commission de partenariat entre la République du Niger et le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg qui s’est déroulée à Niamey le 18 octobre 2019, une augmentation des enveloppes budgétaires pour les programmes en cours dans ces secteurs a été annoncée.

  Dans le cadre du programme de développement rural NIG/025 qui cible la région de Dosso, 9 578 jeunes, dont 55 % de femmes, ont été formés aux métiers des filières agricoles depuis le début de l’intervention. Une extension budgétaire d’un montant de 3 190 000 EUR permettra d’ici 2020 à près de la moitié d’entre eux de bénéficier d’un crédit adossé à une subvention pour développer et pérenniser des activités génératrices de revenus. Davantage de piste rurales seront également réhabilitées pour améliorer l’accès des personnes et des produits aux marchés régionaux.

  Jeune pratiquant la culture du riz irrigué, grâce à l’achat d’une motopompe et de semences adaptées © Zouloukalleyni Dourfaye

  Dans le secteur de l’eau et de l’assainissement, l’augmentation de la contribution luxembourgeoise au programme NIG/026, cofinancé par le Royaume de Danemark, s’inscrit dans une volonté d’augmenter la portée des réalisations. Avec un apport complémentaire de 6 861 126 EUR, 690 000 personnes vivant en milieu rural à travers tout le pays pourront être desservies en eau potable d’ici fin 2022.

  Borne fontaine, région de Dosso © Zouloukalleyni Dourfaye

  Par ailleurs, une nouvelle intervention dans le domaine de la gestion des finances publiques a été confirmée. Il s’agit de répliquer le modèle d’appui à la chaîne de la dépense publique développé avec succès dans la région de Dosso entre 2014 et 2016. Le projet d’appui au renforcement des capacités des acteurs de la chaine des dépenses publiques des régions de Agadez, Diffa, Tahoua et Zinder (NIG027) bénéficiera d’un investissement total de 1 467 179 EUR. D’une durée de 24 mois, cette intervention prévoit des activités de renforcement de capacités des services techniques déconcentrés du ministère des Finances et aussi des appuis en équipement et en moyens roulants permettant d’améliorer les conditions de travail et la performance des acteurs de la chaîne des dépenses publiques dans les zones ciblées.

  La ministre de la Coopération et de l’Action humanitaire du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, Mme Paulette Lenert, avec le ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République du Niger, M. Kalla Ankouraou, lors de la XIIe Commission de partenariat du 18 octobre 2019

  Ces fonds additionnels portent à 97 millions EUR l’enveloppe du IIIe Programme indicatif de coopération (PIC III 2016-2020). Comme l’a rappelé la ministre de la Coopération au développement et de l'Action humanitaire du Luxembourg lors de la signature officielle des nouveaux protocoles d’accord, le Niger est le premier bénéficiaire de l’aide publique au développement luxembourgeoise.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 4 Novembre
  • Par Philip Pearce
  • 
  • Bureau Asie LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS - A further step towards ensuring equal access to justice for allLegal Aid offices launched in Bokeo and Luang Namtha Provinces

  Project LAO/031 has now supported the establishment of four legal aid offices in various provinces. 

  In the presence of his H.E. Bounsavath Boupha, Vice-Minister of Justice, two new Legal Aid offices were opened in Laos’ northern provinces of Bokeo and Luang Namtha, with the support of Project LAO/031 - Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos.

  Legal Aid offices support the poor and marginalised sectors of society by providing free legal information and advice, and in some cases, legal representation. The provision of such a service requires not only a designated office space with modern equipment, but also skilled lawyers and civil servants who have legal expertise and are familiar with relevant laws. As such, LAO/031 also provides support for the training of officers and for the dissemination of the Decree on Legal Aid and its implementation.

  Moreover, under Lao law, lawyers of the Lao Bar are required to carry out 40 hours of pro bono legal aid work.

  While the project is bound to support the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to set up further legal aid offices, it must be noted that the official opening of an office is just a first step. Citizens must now be made aware of the existence and concept of legal aid offices.

  Staff from the Ministry of Justice learn about the procedures of providing legal aid services to users. 

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 10 Septembre
  • Par Philip Pearce
  • 
  • Bureau Asie LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS - Minister Lenert and Delegation visit the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University

  © LuxDev 2019

  H. E. Paulette Lenert, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, together with a delegation comprising Members of Parliament and Representatives from LuxDev and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, officially visited the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the National University of Laos (NUoL) on Tuesday 10th September 2019.

  The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kongsy Sengmany, Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, Prof. Dr. Somsy Gnophanxay, President of NUoL, development partners, and more than 150 faculty members and students.

  In her speech, Minister Lenert stated that the rule of law is a necessary precondition for a peaceful order and prosperity. “All Sustainable Development Goals can only be reached if there is a responsible exercise of power and redistribution of wealth”, she explained. The Minister also underlined the importance of education, which is a pillar of the Lao Legal Sector Master Plan and key in fostering a strong legal culture.

  © LuxDev 2019

  The Minister added that, while Lao PDR has made steady progress towards the Rule of Law, important challenges remain, especially with regard to improving legal awareness and access to laws and academic legal sources.

  © LuxDev 2019

  The speech was followed by a question & answer session with faculty members and students, and a role-play presentation led by students on the topic of gender-based violence, which is periodically organised by the Clinical Legal Education Centre with the aim of improving awareness on important legal issues throughout the country.

  

  © LuxDev 2019

  The event took place in the context of the Minister’s wider visit to Luxembourg-funded projects in Laos. The Faculty of Law and Political Science is supported by three Luxembourg actors, namely LuxDev Project Lao/031, the Institute for Legal Support and Technical Assistance (ILSTA), and the University of Luxembourg.

  © LuxDev 2019

  Laos has been a partner country for Luxembourg’s development cooperation since 1997. Luxembourg development cooperation has been supporting legal education in Laos for the past ten years, with Minister Lenert recently reaffirming Luxembourg’s long-standing commitment to supporting good governance in Laos.

  

  © LuxDev 2019

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 26 Juillet
  • Par Philip Pearce
  • 
  • Bureau Asie LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS - Mid-Year Review and Technical Coordination Committee Meeting

  On 17th July 2019, Project LAO/031 titled ‘Legal Teaching and Training and Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Lao PDR’ held its Mid-Year Review and Technical Coordination Committee Meeting. The Mid-Year Review provides an opportunity for the project and its stakeholders to review the performance and activities of the project over the last 6 months, as well as to agree plans for the rest of the year. Among the 2019 accomplishments, Project LAO/031 can count a high number of trainings carried out for civil servants, legal practitioners, and faculty members of higher education institutions. Furthermore, with the project now supporting the opening of Legal Aid Offices and trainings for Village Mediation Committees, it is ensuring that the poor and marginalized sectors of society are gaining increased access to justice.

  

  From the comments raised at the Mid-Year Review, it became clear that there is an increasing demand for the project’s implementing partner, Institute of Legal Support and Technical Assistance, to expand its ‘English for Law’ programme. With the Mid-Term Evaluation of the project coming up at the start of 2020, the project is continuously aiming to increase its performance in order to reach this year’s targets.

   

   

   

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 16 Mai
  • Par Vjosa Morina
  • 
  • Bureau Kosovo KSV/019
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  KOSOVO - The Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) celebrates its third anniversary.

  The European perspective of Kosovo was confirmed by the signing of the SAA. Stabilisation and Association agreements are part of the EU’s “Stabilisation and Association Process” (SAP) and ”European Neighbourhood Policy” (ENP). The SAA’s main aim is to facilitate the gradual approximation and integration of the country with the European Union. For this, it covers all key criteria that Kosovo needs to achieve in order to become a member of the EU:

  • being a functioning political democracy and the rule of law;
  • having a competitive economy able to withstand the competitive pressures of the EU Single Market and having the ability to fulfil the obligations of membership – i.e. the implementation of EU law - “acquis communautaire” – in Kosovo.

  The depth of the policy harmonization expected by SAA is less than for EU member states; some policy areas in the Acquis may not be covered.

  This April, the Kosovo SAA marked its third anniversary, and HCDF staff was part of the event that brought together a panel of the Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr. Ramush Haradinaj, Head of EU Office Ms. Nataliya Apostolova and the Ambassador of Finland Ms. Pia Stjernvall.

  Mr. Haradinaj once again confirmed that Kosovo’s was resolutely committed to EU integration and the SAA defined the work that the institutions needed to accomplish in order to fullfill the criteria and standards for Kosovo to achieve accession.

  Ms. Apostolova emphasized that the SAA was the biggest investment in the future of Kosovo and it should be of high priority to all institutions and political leaders. It offered guidance for improving the work of institutions in all relevant fields and most importantly improving the lives of Kosovo citizens.

  Ms. Stjernvall said that it was important to focus in fully implementing the SAA, not only because it was required to do so but for the sake of citizens. All citizens wanted a better life for themselves and SAA offered the opportunity for a better, equal and more transparent society.

  In this regard, the Human Capacity Development Facility (HCDF), supported by the Governments of Norway and Luxembourg, will contribute to developing human capacities in Kosovo institutions to assist them in fulfilling the requirements that come from the SAA. The Facility is based within the Ministry of European Integration, as the main coordinating institutions, and focuses on the development of capacities of the line ministries and national-level institutions engaged in the implementation of the EU Law in Kosovo. Currently the HCDF is performing in-depth consultations will the beneficiary institutions, which are expected to soon result in concrete activities that institutions will implement autonomously, strengthening their human capacities in transposing and better implementing EU Law.

  

   

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 30 Avril
  • Par Arta Hoxha
  • 
  • Bureau Kosovo KSV/019
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  KOSOVO - Air Pollution in Pristina

  

  Air pollution is a critical environmental problem around the world. Many health issues, including mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, lung cancer and intrauterine growth restriction (low birth weight at term), are associated with poor air quality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015 polluted air was responsible for 6.4 million deaths worldwide. Globally, this is greater than deaths caused by AIDS (1.2 million), tuberculosis (1.1 million) and malaria (0.7 million).

  Poor air quality remains a challenge in urban areas across Kosovo. The Air Quality Index (AQI), described in table 1, is followed by the United States Embassy in Pristina and shows that the air quality is far below the healthy breathing levels on most days during the winter season, as can be seen in figure 1. During the last two years, the AQI has reached values as high as 500, which is considered hazardous for health. The main sources of contaminants are power plant emissions, residential coal or wood burning and vehicle emissions.

  Table 1. AQI categorisations

  

  Note: To make it easier to understand, the AQI is divided into six categories as presented in this table.

  Source: United States Embassy in Pristina

  Figure 1. AQI in Pristina, 1 January 2017 – 1 April 2019

  

  Note: AQI data from 01 January 2017 – 1 March 2019

  Data Source: Environmental Protection Agency Air Now

   

  According to an analysis conducted by the World Bank in 2013, the air pollution in Kosovo is estimated to cause 852 premature deaths, 318 new cases of chronic bronchitis, 605 hospital admissions and 11,900 emergency visits each year. As reported by the same analysis, the estimated health costs of air pollution in Kosovo were between 38 and 163 million EUR a year, with a midpoint estimate of 98 million EUR, or 2.3 percent of GDP in 2010.

  During an event organized by UNICEF related to the health impact of air pollution in Pristina, Dr. Ruthus Edwards, whose research focuses on human exposure to air pollution emissions and subsequent health effects, suggested a number of measures that can be taken to reduce emissions from the household sector, which in turn would contribute to the improved air quality in Kosovo. Such measures include:

  - Expansion of district heating for central urban areas;

  - Usage of heat pumps or other zero household emission technologies;

  - Improvement of energy efficiency;

  - Transition to renewable energy sources to decrease sector emissions.

  During this event, the Minister of Health, Uran Ismaili, expressed his concerns about the health impact of air pollution in Kosovo and asked for a better coordination among local and central government units as well as international organisations to address this issue.

  Nevertheless, given the current lack of a strategic roadmap to reduce the health impact of air pollution in Kosovo by addressing the root cause of the problem, temporary solutions had to be thought of. For instance, LuxDev in Kosovo has provided its employees with N95 air pollution masks, which can reduce their exposure to the polluted air when it exceeds the healthy breathing levels and provided indoor air filters for all offices.

  ↑ Haut de la page
• • 4 Avril
  • Par Reginald M. Pastrana
  • 
  • Bureau Asie LAO/031
  • Gouvernance
  • Share Tweet

  LAOS - Khammouane Legal Aid Office Praised

  H.E. Bounsavath Boupha, Vice Minister of Justice (fourth from the right), in the presence of various justice officials, members of the Lao Bar Association, district heads of Khammouane Province of the Ministry of Justice and the CTA of LuxDev LAO/031, formally opens the Legal Aid Office.

  On the 25th March 2019, under the auspices of Project LAO/031, a high-ranking justice ministry official lauded the launching of a legal aid office in Khammouane, stating that it will improve and ensure effective access to justice for vulnerable and marginalized groups in the province. Vice Minister of Justice H.E. Bounsavath Boupha also expressed his gratitude that the legal aid office was established in Khammouane where the first trainings on good practices and legal aid implementation guidelines will be provided to Justice Officers from 10 districts.

  In 2018, the government of Laos issued a decree that adopts and spells out procedures for the implementation of legal aid programmes. Consequently, LAO/031 aims to establish at least one (1) legal aid office every year in the provinces identified in the Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP) between the Government of Laos and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.

  

  Reginald M. Pastrana, LuxDev Chief Technical Advisor of LAO/031, emphasized that the establishment of a legal aid office is only the start and that the project would provide further trainings to support these structures moving forward. Furthermore, trainings will also be delivered by volunteers the Lao Bar Association (LBA) who have committed to providing pro bono legal aid services to eligible beneficiaries. These include poor and vulnerable groups, people with disabilities and vulnerable children, among others. Legal Aid generally involves the provision of information, consultations, and court or trial representatives

  Vice Minister of Justice Boupha also took note of the ambitious goal of the Ministry of Justice to have one legal aid office unit in every district administration office. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Project LAO/031 in expressing its support in setting up at least four (4) legal aid offices and providing capacity building trainings to the legal staffs who will be maintaining these offices.

  After the launch of the legal aid office, Mr. Pastrana, together with various government resource persons, conducted lectures and capacity development workshops for staff of the new legal aid office. It is expected that this provincial legal aid office will help people overcome legal issues, involving land disputes, family issues, sexual violence, victims of injustices and other legal problems afflicting the local population. Combined with the planned activities on raising legal awareness and providing training to Village Mediation Committees, LAO/031 aims to ensure that access to justice is inclusive and supported at the grassroots level.

  

  

  

   

   

  ↑ Haut de la page

Afficher les news antécédentes

<123456>