NANONG KHOTPATHOUM

Honorary Advisor

Nanong Khotphathoum is the Founder of ESL and a distinguished professional with decades of experience in environmental and social impact management, project planning, and community development. With expertise in government liaison and capacity building, he has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices in Laos and beyond. 

Nanong’s academic journey is impressive, encompassing a Postgraduate Diploma in NGO Leadership and Management from the School for International Training, Vermont, USA, a Postgraduate Degree in Water Resources Management from VITUKI, Hungary, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Dong Dok National University, Laos. Furthering his commitment to learning, he earned a Diploma d’Études Universitaires Générales (DEUG) from the University of Orleans, France, and has pursued specialized training in project management and community development across Laos, Thailand, and other international forums. 

Professionally, Nanong has been a key figure in various organizations, serving as the Executive Director of ESL Sole Co., Ltd. since 2012 and previously leading as Managing Director of Earth Systems Lao for over a decade. His leadership extends to government sectors, where he held deputy director roles at the Ministry of Science and Technology, shaping policies on environmental management and hydrology. With a career spanning over four decades, Nanong has directed and managed numerous high-impact projects, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for hydropower projects, bauxite mining operations, and transmission lines. His roles often emphasize government liaison, consultation, and stakeholder engagement. Notable projects include the Sepon Primary Gold Project ESIA, Xekong Fishery Monitoring, and the Nam Theun Power Company’s Xe Bang Fai Downstream Restoration Project. His contributions have addressed critical areas such as resettlement planning, community consultations, and socio-economic assessments.