Prior to its departure, DC-based NGOs met the delegation to stress the need for affected communities have an opportunity to influence the project’s outcome and use of revenue.
In mid-May, a U.S. government delegation consisting of representatives from USAID, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Treasury Department, will be visiting the Nam Theun 2 project site. In preparation for this visit, the Treasury Department held a meeting in mid-March with Washington-based NGOs that work on Laos to discuss:
- Individuals, organizations, and places in Laos that might be considered as part of an agenda for a visit
- Opportunities for civil society in Laos to have input into decision-making regarding the project
- Opportunities for civil society in Laos to play a role in determining priorities for use of revenue from the project
During the meeting NGOs stressed the lack of openness and civil society in Laos, as well as the poor track record of hydro projects in Laos, as indication of the strong unlikelihood that affected communities will have an opportunity to influence the outcome of the project and how its revenue will be used.