LAOS
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CO2 Emissions p.capita (tonnes) UN |
World Ranking CO2 Emissions (p.capita) UN |
EPI World Ranking Climate Change |
TI World Ranking Corruption |
TI Asia Ranking Corruption |
Ratified Kyoto Protocol (year) |
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0.23 |
33 |
18 |
151 |
21 |
Not Ratified |
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Compiled by Green Assembly. Data sourced from the UN,Transparency International,and EPI |
LOCATED in the heart of South East Asia, the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has a population of 6.5 million people and borders with China, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Government: According to Wikipedia, Laos is a single-party socialist republic. The only legal political party is the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). Government policies are determined by the party through the all-powerful nine-member Politburo and the 49-member Central Committee. Important government decisions are vetted by the Council of Ministers.
Corruption is a major problem. Transparency International indicates in its 2008 report that Laos is among the most corrupt countries in the world.
Despite the common perception of Lao PDR as being protected by isolation, the country has begun to think of itself as ‘land-linked’ rather than ‘land-locked’ and nowadays Laos is taking part in the trend towards integration with the rest of southeast Asia.
Development: There has been much controversy about the construction of hydropower dams in Laos. The Asian Development Bank has been at the centre of criticism over its role in enabling forest destruction and damage to habitat.
The ADB has also funded the construction of major highways through the country causing deforestation and associated environmental damage.
In November 2008, Oxfam Australia published a report called A Citizen’s Guide to the Greater Mekong Subregion, in which it disputes ADB’s claims that its Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program has led economic growth and poverty reduction in the region.
Media: The government publishes all newspapers, including two foreign language publications: the English-language daily Vientiane Times and the French-language weekly Le Rénovateur. Internet cafes are now common in the major urban centres, however, the government strictly censors content and controls access.
Environment: According to IUCN, in terms of the natural environment, Lao PDR is arguably the keystone of the region. This is particularly true with regards to biological diversity, forest cover and water resources. Laos’ environmental endowments represent a heritage of critical natural, cultural and economic values at the regional and global level.
The natural resource base will continue to be the backbone of the Lao economy for the foreseeable future, and this same dependence is placing enormous pressures on the integrity of the country’s ecosystems.
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