Since 1998, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) has been collaborating with partners in Lao PDR on upland agroforestry research and development activities. At the invitation of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), an ICRAF team visited Lao PDR in September/October 1998 to explore priority areas for collaboration in agroforestry research and capacity building. Based on this MAF-ICRAF joint mission, it was agreed that Luang Prabang province would be the logical entry point for future collaboration. Moreover, it was agreed that ICRAF would support increasing Lao participation in regional training courses, workshops and the Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education Network activities. Moreover, the potential was recognized to further increase collaboration through the Lao- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) upland component, the Integrated Upland Agricultural Research Project (IUARP), as well as the Sida-funded Agroforestry Support Project for Vietnam and Laos. The main aim of IUARP is to develop sustainable upland livelihood systems through an integrated and participatory research approach. The target area comprises seven villages in Pak Ou district, Luang Prabang province in northern Lao PDR, representing a range of ethnic, socioeconomic and market conditions. An IUARP Implementing Team was formed in Luang Prabang, with members from NAFRI, the provincial and district extension offices and Lao- IRRI. During the formulation process for IUARP, which was led by the Lao National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), the potential roles of national and international partners – including IRRI, ICRAF, CIAT, IWMI and ACIAR – were identified.