With a rapidly growing portfolio of large dams; and a considerable portfolio of smaller dams; issues associated with dam safety have become increasingly important; particularly as infrastructure ages; new infrastructure is developed; downstream populations increase; demographics shift; and climate patterns change. These risks were highlighted by two major failures in September 2017 and July 2018 that resulted in an estimated 70 fatalities and displacement of around 6;000 families. Namely; the collapse of the 15 MW hydropower dam on the Nam Ao River in 2017 and the failure of the saddle dam for the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Hydropower Project in 2018; which manifested the country’s weak institutional and regulatory framework and capacity for dam safety assurance. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has indicated the need for support in enhancing its institutional framework and capacity for safety assurance of irrigation dams and downstream communities; as the first step of dam safety assurance of irrigation dams. Considering this; the World Bank has initiated the Lao PDR Dam Safety Assessment and Management ASA (P500558) being undertaken between July 2023 – July 2024. The objective of the ASA is to undertake a preliminary assessment of the existing irrigation dams’ portfolio; to identify priority dams for interventions; and to provide technical support for introducing a risk-informed dam safety management approach for water security. This ASA will inform a subsequent lending engagement in dam safety and management in Lao PDR. The ASA is undertaking the following major tasks/activities: *