United Nations in Lao PDR

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. In addition to 17 global goals, in 2016 the Government of Lao PDR has formally launched the national SDG18, ‘Lives Safe from UXO’ (unexploded ordnance), in the presence of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. As UXO remains an issue affecting national development in multiple dimensions, Lao PDR's output under the SDG18 contributes to the national outcomes under all the other SDGs. On the present map, some of the activities attributed to Vientiane are those which are carried out across the whole country.

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13 December 2021

Safe disposal of medical waste - throwing away isn’t enough

With the widespread impact of the pandemic, proper waste disposal becomes critical. At the central level, in field hospitals, and quarantine facilities- all are faced with a high amount of infectious waste increase during the pandemic. Numbers of sports complexes, stadiums, schools, and dormitories were repurposed into isolation and quarantine facilities to accommodate more and more people. General and infectious wastes are being generated from these facilities, hence, the capacity to manage wastes has to be enhanced. Dr. Bouakham Tounnalom, Deputy Director of Hygiene Management Division, Ministry of Health has been working to support sanitation, water and waste management for almost 3 decades. Her main areas of responsibility include environmental cleaning, water, sanitation & hygiene, health care waste management and health impact assessment, as a result of being surrounded by heavy construction such as mining, and the health of factory workers across the provinces. Dr. Bouakham, with her accumulated years of experience, has provided training and workshops on wastewater sanitation and general waste management throughout the country. Although Dr. Bouakham went through general medical studies and has never formally received specialized training in this field, she was assigned to support the unit once she joined the Ministry. In addition to learning on the job, she received training both locally and internationally to enhance her skills for this job. Dr. Bouakham reflected, “waste collection, treatment, transport and disposal systems have limited capacity. Waste collection companies have to ensure proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), preventive measures and need to increase their frequency of picking up waste every week. Protocols and contracts have been signed to ensure safety measures are put into place for such services.” She adds that both solid and liquid wastes require immediate safe treatment and disposal in some quarantine and isolation facilities. “We can’t just let the wastewater flow out into the environment without a proper treatment system,” said Dr. Bouakham. With solid waste, WHO has provided technical support in developing guidance, training materials, and autoclaves to disinfect/treat infectious waste before further disposal. The maximum loading capacity is an average of 50-85 kilograms. Normally, the autoclave can load one- or two times, but during COVID-19 response, with the increase of waste amount, the autoclave now needs to operate two to three times per day. Not only has the volume of wastes increased but also the types of waste, particularly single-use items. For hygiene reasons, most facilities use single-use foam containers for meals that were delivered to patients or individuals. These single-use products, including plastic water bottles, are snowballing during the pandemic and there are many challenges to safely dispose these items without causing environmental pollution and human health impacts. These issues are only a small portion of what the government and its development partners are dealing with in order to respond to the rising medical waste demands. As part of the Learning from Experience to Improve Responding to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific Region project funded by the People’s Republic of China, UNDP will provide technical support for Laos to upgrade the medical waste treatment system in the receiving hospitals, provide technical support for medical personnel, grass-roots civil servants and other key posts to enhance their capabilities. As the largest developing country, the People’s Republic of China is a firm supporter, active participant, and important contributor to South-South Cooperation. UNDP appreciates being a partner to both the People’s Republic of China and Lao PDR to support improved medical waste management. The above-mentioned project has received support from the South-South Cooperation Assistance Funds (SSCAF), to strengthen the preparedness and responding capacity at the Asia-Pacific regional level. UNDP will collaborate with WHO in Lao PDR, MoH and MICT and several Chinese counterparts to provide advocacy, information sharing and communication support on protection against COVID-19 and its response for people in poverty and vulnerable groups - to ensure that they are not left behind and can equally benefit from the interventions to stay safe and healthy.

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13 May 2021

Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to essential healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic

Supported by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the technical assistance led by UNFPA and UNAIDS, and UNICEF in maintaining essential health services during COVID-19 crisis has been a crucial element to the Lao PDR response. One key element has been the pilot aimed at introducing tele-health capabilities at the sub-national level, enabling all people flexible and responsive healthcare even in times of isolation or where remote access limits direct face to face services. The pilot was designed to enable pregnant and lactating mothers to safely access health services and information, whilst also ensuring that people living with HIV could gain access to lifesaving medication and healthcare information. Ms. Khekko Saysanadeth, Head of Phakeng Health Center, Phoukhoun district, Luang Prabang province shared that “We gained new knowledge through trainings and received the necessary equipment and supplies, such as hand sanitizer, sterilizing supplies and communication equipment including loudspeakers and mobile phones to follow up on maternal and child health. After the training, we practice social distancing and set up the screening point and hand wash sinks in our center. We continue to maintain infection prevention and control and encourage visitors to wash their hands.” The technology now exists in Lao PDR for all sectors to consider how they can best deliver services to communities. This innovative approach is part of the programme to maintain essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services. The pilot provided some positive results and the health providers consider the tele-health capabilities as an effective and efficient way to provide care, especially in Phonthong district where access is often difficult, also without the COVID-19 pandemic. It is very useful for patients to get immediate assistance or a referral as needed and for health care providers to develop knowledge and skills with regard to early detection of at-risk pregnancies and children with danger signs. To date, 1,762 pregnant women have received telehealth consultations for ante- and postnatal care and 35,988 women have received adapted essential reproductive services. Ms. Khekko Saysanadeth added: “We make video calls and regular calls to mothers after birth and to pregnant women so they can ask questions and check in with the clinic staff, even when it is impossible to travel. If we cannot contact them, we make a call to village authorities to make an appointment to follow up on their pregnancy progress or breastfeeding after birth. The telehealth is an effective way to maintain contact with mothers and children to ensure their safety.” The tele-health consultation for antenatal and postnatal care Whilst the telehealth service is highly appreciated by both health care providers and their patients, some barriers remain including the limited telecommunication networks in remote areas and language barriers when working closely with ethnic groups like Hmong or Khmu. Hence, where internet is not available, care can still be provided over landlines and through village health volunteers or husbands to translate where there is a language problem. To further test telehealth services, the pilot has been integrated into the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plan of Action 2021 to enable another five provincial areas, including Savannakhet, Bolikhamxai, Bokeo, Champasack and Oudomxai, to receive appropriate trainings and resources and commence implementation. The telehealth function has also been recommended to continue as part of the routine health services beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during seasonal flooding when women might become isolated. For people living with HIV, access to care was improved through the support of two Civil Society Organizations. Approximately 1,000 people living with HIV in Lao PDR were supported to receive their regular antiretroviral medication (ARVs) via three dispensing modalities to reduce the crowding at clinics and ensure those in remote locations could still access medication during provincial border closures, including fast track, individual and group modalities. People living with HIV could receive their medication in group distributions, utilizing local networks or by working with providers to ensure fast-tracked and early orders could be delivered ahead of any COVID-19 outbreak. A community guideline to provide telehealth services for people living with HIV in 11 ARV therapy sites was also developed. Approximately 50 participants including people living with HIV peers, nurses and doctors working in the treatment sites received the training on the guideline to provide remote support on ARV medication uptake and adherence, care and psychosocial support during the pandemic. The participants were trained on the techniques for provision of telehealth services, including providing updated messages on the COVID-19 situation and latest healthcare information for targeted groups. Ms. Daovone Outhaivong, a volunteer from Luang Prabang province, shared that “Before the pandemic, all patients came to get the antiretroviral medication themselves. But during the lockdown, this was not possible with the border closures. We have around 30 patients who were mainly from disadvantaged and low-income groups and live far away from Luang Prabang town. So to make sure they all received their medication, we delivered the medication to them using motorbikes and local couriers. After the lockdown, we continue to provide information and knowledge to prevent COVID-19 transmission. We also received a training on how to provide tele-health services to targeted groups and I found it very useful”. “The project took a sustainable approach, building ownership and fostering innovation. Local actors were supported to plan actions based on global good practice. National capacities built under this project maintained and increased in some cases essential health services such as ante- and postnatal care, despite the COVID-19 crisis. Based on the findings, the practices will progressively be scaled up to expand healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations throughout the country.” said Ms Mariam A. Khan, UNFPA Representative.

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30 April 2021

Leave No One Behind - Establishing the Basis for Social Protection Floors in Lao PDR

Over the past decade, Lao PDR has seen high economic growth and poverty reduction. And yet, a fifth of the population continues to live around or below the national poverty line. Maternal and child mortality are high compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. Malnutrition and stunting affect many children. A fifth of all students do not complete school, due to financial barriers. The country is in the beginning stages of developing its social protection system, and as such current coverage is low, at just 15% of the working-age population. To tackle these problems, in April 2020, the Government adopted its first National Social Protection Strategy for 2021-2025. The Strategy is built around three main pillars: improving social health insurance, extending social security and establishing the groundwork for social assistance programmes. To support the Government in the implementation of the Strategy, the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection was established under joint operation of ILO, UNICEF and UNCDF. The Programme has two integrated components: institutional development support to the Government of Lao PDR and design and pilot of the Mother and Early Childhood Grant to demonstrate the benefits of social protection The interventions proposed have multiplying effects in several SDGs, expecting to directly impact on poverty reduction, nutritional gains, reduction of socio-economic inequalities, improvement of gender equality markers, and overall system sustainability. “We do believe that to deliver the results that are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and truly “leave no one behind”, we have to go at scale. And the only way to go at scale is to work with national structures and to build-up a national programme,” shared Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator for Lao PDR. Funding the pilot test of the Strategy in two of the poorest districts in Lao PDR, Mr. Jean-Bernard Carrasco, Ambassador of Australia to Lao PDR for 2018-2021, said on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): “We are providing funding so that we can test the social protection pilot in the south of the country. And our hope is that what has been tested is something that the Lao Government will be able to, with others support, roll-out nationally particularly to help women and young children to be able to benefit the most and particularly poor children and poor women.” “This will be an early and important step to benefit people, especially women and children who have health and nutrition problems. The best practices learned from this programme will be a model for scaling up to broader areas of the country,” said Dr. Yangkou Yangluexay, Director General, Department of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The UN Joint Programme on Social Protection supports the Government of Lao PDR to plan, prepare, implement and monitor the National Social Protection Strategy 2025. It aims to generate evidence to show that social protection is feasible and impactful even in low-income countries and in this way, to secure greater domestic investment in social protection. This Programme allows UN agencies to pool their expertise and reduce overlaps in their support to the Government of Lao PDR. It will accelerate progress towards SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The Programme is financed by the Joint SDG Fund and DFAT Australia. The story was created by UN Joint Programme on Social Protection and UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR.

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17 November 2021

Government of Lao PDR and United Nations sign 2022-2026 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, strengthening the UN’s support to the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan

The Government of Lao PDR, represented by H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations (UN), represented by Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR, officially signed the 2022-2026 Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The brief signing ceremony took place a day ahead of the 13th High-Level Round Table Meeting, at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in Vientiane, with limited physical participation, acknowledging the ongoing rise of COVID-19 infections in the country’s capital. Succeeding the 2017-2021 Lao PDR- UN Partnership Framework, the 2022-2026 UNSDCF is the first since the reform of the UN development system, ushered in by the adoption by UN General Assembly Resolution 72/279 in 2018, transforming the way the UN works, building a platform for greater coordination, coherence, effectiveness, and development impact. The implementation of the UN Reform through the UNSDCF is characterised by strengthened alignment to national development priorities, comprehensive and interconnected strategic priorities, a structure underpinned by results-based management principles, streamlined coordination mechanisms, and a practical and targeted monitoring and evaluation framework. The signing officially marks the end of a process that started in August 2020, with the adoption of an agreed roadmap between the UN and the Government of Lao PDR on the further elaboration of the new Framework. The formulation process was highly consultative, with numerous exchanges held between UN entities, together with the Government of Lao PDR, with development partners, civil society, and private sector representatives to seek and reflect broad-based views and aspirations. The signing also allows for the beginning of the implementation of the SDCF on 1 January 2022. The UNSDCF is aligned with the overarching directions and six pillars of the 2021-2025 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Underpinned by the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the UN’s independent analysis of development opportunities and challenges in Lao PDR, and a thorough evaluation of the previous Partnership Framework, the UNSDCF also mainstreams UN guiding principles for development cooperation seeking to Leave No One Behind, through the application of a Human-Rights Based Approach, addressing Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Resilience, Sustainability, and Accountability. The UNSDCF represents the contributions to sustainable development of twenty-five Agencies, Funds, and Programmes of the UN Development System[1]. The Framework will be implemented through four transformational strategic priorities: People’s Wellbeing, Inclusive Prosperity, Governance and the Rule of Law, and Environment, Climate Change and Resilience. Corresponding outcomes anticipate that, by 2026, people, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, … … will have more equitable and inclusive access to and will benefit from better quality health, nutrition, food, shelter, protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and education and learning, including during emergencies. … will benefit from more inclusive, resilient, transformative, and sustainable socio-economic and demographic opportunities to reduce poverty and inequalities. …are better served by public institutions at all levels in a transparent and inclusive manner, able to exercise their rights and obligations and the institutions shall be strengthened and more accountable while the rule of law and international human rights commitments made by Lao PDR are upheld. … and institutions will be better able to sustainably access, manage, preserve, and benefit from natural resources and promote green growth that is risk-informed, disaster and climate-resilient. To realise these ambitions, the UN country team will work collaboratively across twenty-one joint outputs, bringing together Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with specific expertise to help national counterparts advance development progress and tackle Lao PDR’s development challenges. In UNICEF’s capacity as co-chair of the results group on People’s Wellbeing, Representative Dr. Pia Rebello Britto noted that “The UN team will be working towards ensuring quality services for all, especially the most vulnerable groups, including children, in an equitable and inclusive manner. Our goal is to achieve the wellbeing of the entire Lao PDR population, leaving no one behind”. Representing the Inclusive Prosperity results group, ILO National Coordinator Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo added “under the new Cooperation Framework, the UN will be working more effectively with the government, private sector and workers’ representatives to support the shift to a more inclusive economic model- addressing the impacts of the pandemic and building forward better”. The UN is a longstanding partner of the Government and people of Lao PDR with WHO as its first entity to establish in-country offices in 1962, and with many more in the years that followed. With an estimated USD 500 million of development investments across the next five years, the UN will work with partners to seize development opportunities and tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time, including COVID-19 recovery, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation, securing a sustainable LDC Graduation, and necessary investments in social sectors for an inclusive, prosperous, and equitable future for all and that leaves no one behind. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation to the continued cooperation and support by the UN to the Lao PDR for the past years, which significantly contributed to the economic-social development in the Lao PDR, and hoped that the UN would continue to provide support and assistance in the future, in particular, in the areas of response to the outbreak and the Covid-19 recovery efforts, climate change, sustainable development, support the Lao PDR to graduate from the LDC status as well as other relevant development areas. [1] Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat (DESA); the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); International Labour Organisation (ILO); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Organisation for Migration (IOM); International Trade Centre (ITC); Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR); Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF); United Nations Commission On International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); UN Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); UN Development Programme (UNDP); UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); UN Environment Programme (UNEP); UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); UN Population Fund (UNFPA); UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); UN Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS); UN Volunteers (UNV); World Food Programme (WFP); World Health Organisation (WHO) under the overall lead and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinators Office (UN RCO)

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06 July 2021

Lao farmers reaching for global, organic coffee markets

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the products they drink and eat – whether it is safe for their health or the environment. And the same applies to coffee. As a big market, the European Union (EU) represents nearly half of the world’s coffee imports. In 2019, the total coffee import was 3 million tons, worth €7.5 billion. Between 2019 and 2020, Lao PDR’s coffee and tea exports to the EU has almost doubled, from €16 million to €29 million. According to the Lao PDR Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, coffee is one of the country’s top three agricultural crops with the highest export value. It is only natural that the country aims to increase its coffee production to one million tons by 2025. Locating in southern Lao PDR, the Bolaven Plateau is ideally placed for producing high quality coffee and potentially compete in the market for specialty and organic coffee, products that carry premium prices. Despite these opportunities, Lao coffee sector faces many challenges, such as low farm-level productivity, lack of minimum quality standards, high logistical costs, as well as low capacity for research and commercialization, among others. To address these challenges, the International Trade Centre and local partners of the country’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce along with the Lao Coffee Association jointly organized a training on how to start organic coffee farms. The training offered Lao farmers, cooperatives, and small businesses an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge regarding the organic production, processing and marketing of coffee. "This training is one of the solutions offered by the Coffee Export Roadmap, which the Lao Government has recently endorsed, to help Lao farmers and small businesses secure their spots in the global, sustainable coffee market", said Xaysomphet Norasingh, Director General of the Department of Trade Promotion at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. “It’s a win-win partnership between the Lao Government and development partners in the coffee sector. We love coffee, and Lao people produce great coffee, so the European consumers are ready to pay a higher price for a cup of coffee which is organic, respectful to the environment, provide decent jobs and make a positive impact in the community,” said Vincent Vire, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation in Lao PDR. Amongst the 70 participants who joined virtually from across Lao PDR, Phaengsy Daoduangdee, the owner of Duangdee Coffee Farm, said: “I was able to gain a deeper understanding of organic farming and the process of applying for organic certification. In addition, I learned different organic ways to eliminate coffee pests, particularly coffee stem-borers, which have been a big issue for us, farmers, for some time.” In addition, the manager and support staff of the Vanmai cooperative in Northern Lao PDR, where the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been supporting 383 farmers to grow coffee since 2016, participated in this training. The UNODC project aims at assisting beneficiaries in the communities who want to transition from opium crops, while building a financially sustainable and resilient cooperative. The farmers have planted around 400 hectares of coffee and established their own cooperative to independently process and commercialize coffee for premium international markets. A transition to fully organic production and obtaining an organic certification is an important part of the long-term strategy of the Vanmai cooperative, and participation in the training provided valuable inputs for this transition process. This training was the first in a series. Next trainings in the coming months will focus on organic marketing and certification and improving sensory and cupping skills for specialty coffee. In fact, Phaengsy has already applied for the second training, and she is looking forward to more practical learning opportunities. The training formed part of the EU-funded initiative, the ASEAN Regional Integration Support to Lao PDR (ARISE Plus), which supports sustainable agricultural value chain development in Lao PDR, especially those based on organic production and fair trade – and ultimately, promoting inclusive economic growth, climate change resilience, mitigating vulnerability and job creation in Lao PDR. About ITC: The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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25 June 2021

Farmers in Huaphan province change their life with coffee plantation

Vanmai Coffee Cooperative is a community of families in Huaphan Province in northern Laos, growing coffee to leave behind a troublesome past. Vanmai means new day in the local Lao language. With the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Lao Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC), 383 Vanmai farmers began their transition towards cultivating coffee in late 2016. Since then, their achievements have been many. With the assistance of UNODC experts and agronomists, they have planted around 400 hectares of coffee and established their own cooperative to independently process and commercialize coffee for premium international markets. Supported by UNODC’s Alternative Development project, wet processing centers have already been installed across 12 coffee growing communities. The construction of a warehouse, a dry mill and an office for the cooperative —boasting its own coffee shop— is scheduled to begin in 2021. April 6, 2021 marked a further remarkable step for Vanmai farmers. A five-year partnership agreement with the renowned French Coffee Roaster Malongo was signed and their coffee export expects to increase over five-year period, from 20 tons in 2021 to 200 tons in 2025. “We will improve the quality of our coffee, the organic coffee that is free from toxic chemical, because we think it is the way to add value to our products and to protect environment” said Savaythong Khounsavanh, President of the Vanmai Cooperative. “We believe that the project will help villagers in the area, particularly twelve targeted villages in the four districts of Hua Phan province, have a better livelihood in the future.” Supported by the project, Vanmai has recently established a women’s network with 12 elected members. With the aim of building a cohort of female leaders, the project supports this group with in-depth trainings on coffee as a business. Being a member of the women’s network and the Vanmai Cooperative, Ms Siathor Yialao is happy that she can participate in the project from the beginning. She believes the project can help her family and other families in the villages to be out of poverty. “I want to earn money so I can send my children to school and I can buy things in the market. Before the project, I did not have money to travel outside of my home province. Now, I can travel to other provinces. And one day, I think I will earn enough money to travel abroad.” She added: “But as women, we also have difficulties. Many women in my village cannot speak the main Lao language fluently. That is why it is not easy to communicate and get all information about the project”. Ms. Sengvida Sengmanivong, from Na Or village, the leader of the Vanmai Women’s Network, found the positive thing that the project brings to her and other women is that there is no more opium plantation in the area. She was confident: “We can earn income without opium. Thanks to the project, we are now with higher incomes than before. We can buy medicines and household items for our daily life.” Members from the Women’s Network of the 12 villages participated on the trainings on coffee tasting and gender empowerment and they hope to have the chance to participate in other trainings in the future. Women’s Network also set up interest groups for their participants to share knowledge with others. Sengvida said: “It is not only about coffee plantation, but also about other things in life that we can talk and share. We feel that we have more solidarity among villagers through these activities”. This UNODC-led project was recently extended to December 2023 based on available funding, with the aim to continue supporting local efforts until at least 2025. Over the coming project cycle, UNODC will continue to build up the management skills of the Vanmai Cooperative, based on a solid democratic foundation that also empowers women. The project aims to double the cultivation area in the coming years, with the objective of assisting more beneficiaries in the communities who want to transition from opium crops, while building a financially sustainable and resilient cooperative. The project has been funded by the Governments of Luxembourg, the United States, Germany, and Japan.

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23 June 2021

Ensuring that children get a good start to life: Mother and Early Childhood Grant in Lao PDR

The Government of Lao PDR envisions just that, through the Mother and Early Childhood Grant (MECG) – a cash benefit for pregnant women and newborns integrated with antenatal and postnatal care services and support for birth registration. In June 2021, the MECG programme was launched as a pilot as part of the UN Joint Programme on ‘Establishing the basis for Social Protection Floors in Lao PDR’. 700 prospective beneficiaries, i.e., pregnant women in their second and third trimesters and infants up to 6 months of age have been registered, while registrations are in progress to cover at least 700 more women and children. The pilot will run in three districts of the country namely, Sanamxay and Phouvong (Attapeu province) and Nong (Savannakhet province). it will offer lessons for eventually scaling up the MECG to the rest of the country. “This is the first time that we have started implementing a social protection programme remotely, including beneficiary registrations and staff training, due to the COVID-19 related restrictions. This makes the MECG programme innovative.” Beate Dastel, UNICEF Representative a.i. in Lao PDR The programme has adopted several innovations to adapt to the socioeconomic context of Lao PDR and pandemic related restrictions. Financial inclusion in Lao PDR is low and few rural dwellers have bank accounts, while banking infrastructure is itself poor in rural areas. The MECG cash benefit will be delivered to beneficiaries through a digital payment app “U-Money”, which only requires a mobile phone number to register. The payment service provider will visit people’s homes and provide cash-to-door services for those few beneficiaries whose phone numbers are not registered. Digital payment mechanisms have been gaining popularity in recent times and the lessons from this experience will contribute to facilitating not only other social welfare payments but also social insurance payments. The MECG programme uses a multi-stakeholder approach to establish the system and inform rural communities about its benefits. The social protection system in the country is nascent. Before a cash transfer is implemented, the systems and infrastructure need to be put in place. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to work with village chiefs, district officials and healthcare workers in the pilot areas. Most of the Lao population lives in rural areas and is unfamiliar with the idea of social protection. This is why one of the pillars of the MECG pilot is Behaviour Change Communication, to induce changes in perspective and action that will increase the uptake of social protection. Multi-dimensional poverty in Lao PDR is high, therefore the MECG programme has adopted an integrated approach to tackle this problem. It integrates a cash benefit for pregnant women and newborns with antenatal and postnatal care services and support for birth registration. In this way, it is designed to ensure that children can access adequate nutrition and healthcare in the first 1000 days of life. The joint Government-UN effort will help to accelerate progress towards SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The story was written by Loveleen De on behalf of the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection in Lao PDR.

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11 June 2021

Development of Lao PDR – UN Cooperation Framework: a consultative process for stakeholders to voice views and participate

The current Lao PDR – UN Partnership Framework 2017 – 2021 is drawing to a close. As the most important instrument for the planning and implementation of UN development activities following the reform of the UN Development System, the successor to this framework is now being developed to reflect an enhanced spirit of coordination, transparency, efficiency and impact. Since late 2020, the UN Country Team has worked to advance its planning in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other line ministries on the development of the new Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 (UNSDCF). The UNSDCF is built on three key documents: the 9th national Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025, the draft UN assessment of the development situation in Lao PDR, and the recent independent evaluation of the current Lao PDR-UN Partnership Framework 2017-2021. Together, these laid the foundations for the identification of transformational development priorities, the strategies for achieving such changes, and guidance on how to work jointly with key national counterparts. Importantly, at a meeting of the Joint Steering Committee under the joint leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February, the decision was made to actively include stakeholders including development partners, private sector and non-governmental organizations in the development process. Through this, the UN Country Team aims to build on and further advance the broader partnerships for development cooperation in Lao PDR. Through the series of consultations that followed, more than 150 participants representing both non-resident and resident development partners, non-governmental organisations, and private sector organisations participated have been engaged in the process. Mr. Maythong Thammavongsa, Director-General of Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Head of the National SDG Secretariat highlighted: “It is important to align the Cooperation Framework with national priorities outlined in the National Social Economic Development Plan to reflect real needs of the country. I appreciate UN in Lao PDR to develop the Framework in a consultative way so all stakeholders can have a voice and actively participate in the process. I believe that inputs from the stakeholders can enrich the discussion during consultations and positively contribute to the final version of the Cooperation Framework”. Opening the consultation series, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR, Ms. Sara Sekkenes noted that “These consultations turn to consideration of programme priorities for our next Cooperation Framework. This will bring together the UN’s analysis through the Common Country Analysis and the Government’s policy priorities as set out in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan”. The Resident Coordinator further stressed that “This is the first Lao-UN strategic planning framework to be developed since the global reform of the UN Development System, and as such there are new expectations placed on all of us to do things differently and work even more closely together. “ “This consultation process is crucial for not just the United Nations but for all of the development partners, and the U.S. Government is happy to be a part of it,” shared A. Michael Stern, Deputy Country Representative/Program Office Director of the US Agency for International Development in Lao PDR. “It has been great to witness the development partners during the coordination process, and to have a chance to provide input as we can think about our own programs and how we can align the work that we do with what the United Nations is doing across all different UN Agencies in the country.” Being the representative for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country to participate in the consultation, Thongdam Phongphichith, Co-Director of Global Association for People and the Environment (GAPE), was grateful for an opportunity to participate and contribute to the whole process of the Cooperation Framework. “We are happy that we can be involved in the analysis, planning, monitoring, implementation, evaluation and reporting of the Framework.” He added: “CSOs will also work to improve the effectiveness of our administrative, coordinating and collaborative mechanisms to contribute to successful implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.” The leader of Namjai Community Association, a local non-governmental organization that works to promote education, gender equality and the fight again violence toward children and women, Minavanh Pholsena noted the potential synergies from the consultation, as Lao CSOs were also in the process of formulating their own 5-year plan- “After participating in this meeting, CSOs are now well aware of the 5Ps of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships to be achieved by UN in Lao PDR. We will see how we can cooperate with UN from now on, considering what we learned from this consultation of the UNSDCF”. From the Lao Business Women’s Association, which assembles Lao female entrepreneurs and businesswomen throughout the country, Pathoumphone Phetsavong said: “From the consultation, I found a number of interesting points to share with members of Lao Businesswomen Association, especially on the guidance for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.” The draft Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2022 -2026 has now been finalized and submitted to the Government of Lao PDR. A High-Level Meeting of the Government of Lao PDR and UN Joint Steering Committee is planned to be organized in mid-2021 to formally endorse the new Cooperation Framework.

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Press Release

23 December 2021

Innovation In The Numbers as Lao PDR Launches 3rd Lao Census of Agriculture Supported by FAO

The third Lao PDR Agriculture Census (LACIII) was conducted in 2019/20 and is the third Agriculture Census undertaken in Lao PDR following the second Agriculture Census undertaken nearly ten years ago in 2010/11 and the first in 1998/99. LACIII is the first Agriculture Census in the Lao PDR to implement a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) mode for data collection. The adoption of CAPI represents an effort by LSB and MAF to transition towards a digitized approach to data collection. LSB led implementation for the LACIII in collaboration with MAF under the guidance of the Agriculture Steering Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, with technical support from FAO. The preliminary results of LACIII will be a key instrument for the Government to implement effective socio-economic and rural development plans to improve living standards in rural areas. Furthermore, this data is critical to the achievement of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda. The transition to a tablet-based data collection also brings opportunities to take advantage of new types of information such as geo-location, allowing the data to be analyzed and presented geographically. LACIII collected data from agricultural households engaged across major agricultural sub-sectors in Lao PDR, including crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries and aquaculture. LACIII includes fundamental data on the organizational structure of agricultural holdings such as farm size, land tenure, land use, the structure of livestock populations, gender-disaggregated data, forestry activities, fishing activities, and household food security. Data collection was successfully conducted in November and December 2020 amidst the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 700 field staff from LSB, MAF, and local government offices assessed agricultural household holdings across the country despite the logistical challenges of conducting field data collection amid government-mandated measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country. FAO provided technical support to this census in line with the methodological recommendations specified in World Census on Agriculture (WCA) 2020 guidelines. "The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry extends its appreciation for the close collaboration with the Lao Statistics Bureau and FAO in the planning and implementation of the 3rd Lao PDR Agriculture Census," said Mr. Thongphat Vongmany, Vice Minister of MAF adding that "The collaboration brought together a variety of experts across statistics and agriculture to guarantee the relevance of data produced." "LACIII represents a foundational building block towards a sustainable agricultural data system in Lao PDR. Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Representative in Lao PDR, told the launch. "The Government of Lao PDR has worked closely with FAO to be forward-looking in planning for LACIII by choosing to invest in new cost-effective technologies and methodologies that will provide the ground-work for future data needs in agriculture," he said. The LACIII also owes part of its success to the close cooperation between FAO and government partners, LSB and MAF, according to Ms. Sangita Dubey, Senior statistician and a project Lead technical officer from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. "Conducting data collection on the scale of an Agriculture Census is a significant undertaking that requires careful long-term planning and close cooperation across multiple partners and subject-matter expertise to ensure its success," she said. The quality of the partnership was acknowledged by Head of Lao Statistics Bureau Ms. Phonesaly Souksavath: "The Lao Statistics Bureau greatly appreciates strong collaboration from MAF and line ministry at central, provincial and district level for their effort and contribution to implement this census successfully. Specially, the technical support provided by FAO to provide personalized training and hands-on technical assistance for the implementation of the innovative technologies adopted for LACIII that resulted in the first Lao Agriculture Census completed using CAPI," she said. The 3rd Lao PDR Agriculture Census preliminary results are available now. Finalized results of LACIII will be available to interested organizations and individuals at the following link: www.lsb.gov.la, For Media Please Contact:
Ms. Salika CHANTHALAVONG, Deputy Director General, Department of Economics Statistics, Lao Statistics Bureau.
Tel: (+856-021)214740, 216656, Email: salikach@lsb.gov.la, salikanaja@yaho.com Ms. Vivanh SOUVANNAMETHY, Head of Agriculture Statistics Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Tel: (856 21 415363, Email: souvannamethy@yahoo.com Mr. Steven A Cleary, International Communication Officer, FAO Lao PDR.
Tel: +856 21 413 205, Email: Steven.Cleary@fao.org

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Press Release

10 December 2021

Human Rights Day 2021 – WE MUST TAKE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FOR REDUCED INEQUALITIES NOW

As we today, 10th December mark the 2021 Human Rights Day, with the global theme to Raise Every Voice for Equality, we need to highlight some of the impacts of the planetary crisis and call for a broadbased dialogue on how to address existing and emerging threats towards reducing inequalities. Climate change and environmental degradation have a severe impact on realising people’s enjoyment of rights, sustainable development as well as the rights of all life on Earth. Reducing and addressing this impact is not only a matter of survival but also a human rights obligation in its own right. Therefore, a people-centred rights-based approach must be integrated into all of our efforts to address the various needs, challenges and opportunities in overcoming inequalities in this emerging crisis – leaving no one behind, be they current or of future generations. The impact of the planetary crisis on Lao PDR is apparent, partly due to the country’s vulnerability to worsening extreme weather and climate shocks, but also in terms of the strain to ensure sufficient capacities and resources to prevent, respond and recover from their consequences as a developing country. This will further challenge the equal enjoyment of rights among segments of the population in areas such as food security and agricultural livelihoods, and in ensuring accessibility of quality services for women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities. Looking further ahead, we are also likely to see increased migration flows caused by unsustainable ecosystems and environmental degradation. If we are truly to pursue a people-centred development agenda and equal opportunities for all at both global and national levels, we must join forces and raise our voices. To this end, multilateral and cross-sectoral cooperation is a key, including actively and meaningfully engaging the most vulnerable groups. And this means all of us collectively, in all our capacities, as government, as international organisations, the private sector and civil society but also as people, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters expressing in our own voices how we wish to live. Lao PDR recently joined the international community at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow in negotiating the terms for realising the goals under the Paris Agreement. The challenges expressed by Lao PDR during the Summit on implementing the provisions under the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda are well noted. Indeed, the great impact of the crisis, along with the limited capacities and resources for tackling these issues, places a heavy burden on Lao PDR. In parallel, there is an inherent trade-off between protecting forests while relying on natural resources for economic growth and financing development. But all things come at a cost. Deforestation in Laos and the Southeast Asia region, home to about 15 percent of the world’s tropical forests and an unequalled bio-diversity with a unique flora and fauna, will greatly impact our ability to withstand the reverberating effects of climate change. Therefore, it is imperative that we come together to identify and set in motion structures that address these trade-offs and enables us to make progress across all areas of the 2030 Agenda without sacrificing our planet’s well-being. In this regard, a few opportunities should be highlighted. As the Lao PDR prepares the Smooth Transition Strategy to lay the foundation for the development agenda beyond its graduation into a middle-income country, environmental considerations have to be integrated in order to reap the benefits of a quality graduation and to invest in a sustainable and green development for all. To enable a green progressive development agenda along with the LDC graduation, we have to also consider climate change and the environment in the recovery from COVID-19 that has put decades of development progress at risk while further straining development funding. Combined with the many possibilities that the LDC graduation brings, we now have the opportunity to review the national development agenda and to come up with structures to build forward, better and greener for a healthy planet – ensuring that no one is left behind. Parallel to the domestic planning for a green and environmentally sustainable development agenda that promotes the equal enjoyment of rights, we have to also safeguard mechanisms for foreign investments that stimulate green growth while protecting forests and ecosystems. In this regard, the European Union’s legislative initiatives present a good possible example, including the recent proposal for a regulation to prevent that products sold in the EU contribute to deforestation, and the legislative initiative on mandatory due diligence for protection of rights and the environment across sectors. This is also well served by one of the 4 outcome areas agreed as a strategic priority area in the UN – Lao PDR sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the next 5 years to collectively work on environmental priorities, climate change, and to help build resilience across development efforts. The United Nations and the European Union, along with other development partners, stand ready to support Lao PDR in reaching these goals to enhance the protection of the environment, natural resource management, green growth, and disaster risk reduction, as outlined in the 9th NSEDP. The message is simple: WE MUST TAKE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FOR REDUCED INEQUALITIES NOW and encourage dialogue around how we move forward and accelerate system-wide action across sectors to realise the equal enjoyment of rights for all in this emerging crisis – both for the people of today and the future generations. The op-ed is co-authored by H.E. Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, the European Union Ambassador to the Lao PDR and Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR.

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Press Release

29 November 2021

New roadmap for Lao PDR to promote sustainable production and exports of wood products

The Lao PDR’s Wood Processing Sector Export Roadmap presents the workplan for Laos’ exports with value-added wood products, based on three strategic objectives: (1) Improve the sector's sustainability through better coordination, and increase access to legal timber; (2) Stimulate product diversification and enhance skills and processing capacities, fostering technology adoption, and spurring investment; and (3) Enhance the sector's ability to create and sustain market linkages. Lao PDR is rich in natural and planted forest resources, offering market opportunities in the region and globally. Teak and rosewood are considered valuable in international markets. The country has a small, but vibrant wood processing industry, with the potential to increase jobs in the rural areas, thus generating more income and driving the country’s economy. Nevertheless, processed wood remains a low-value-added product in Lao PDR. Moreover, the country increasingly faces regional competition, leaving the industry with only a few regional markets to access (mainly China and Viet Nam). Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to decrease global consumption, setting back the supply due to factory shutdowns and logistical challenges. To address these challenges and find solutions, the Lao PDR Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, developed the new roadmap based on a series of contributions from industry leaders, small business owners, institutions, and public-sector representatives. The detailed action plan highlights the strong coordination between the public and private-sector stakeholders. The wood-processing sector steering committee will coordinate activities, monitor progress and mobilize resources to implement the roadmap. The International Trade Centre technically assisted the roadmap’s development process as part of the ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the European Union (Arise Plus Lao PDR), an EU-funded initiative focusing on promoting inclusive economic growth, climate change resilience, mitigating vulnerability and job creation in the country. The roadmap also catalyses the UN-REDD Programme support to promote legal and sustainable forest products trade in the Lower Mekong region as well as Lao PDR’s on-going efforts towards a Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU in Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative. “The PDR’s Wood Processing Sector Export Roadmap 2021-2025 will complement national policies and measures, aiming to promote industry and trade development 2021-2025. The 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025 identifies wood processing as one of the key priority sectors to be promoted to enable business to develop products with higher value-added and better quality in order to reduce export of raw materials and semi-processed products, while promoting environmental and social sustainable industry and transforming into modernized industry 4.0 ”. H.E. Khampheng Xaysompheng, Minister of Industry and Commerce. “This roadmap offers a holistic approach – from planting forests to processing and exporting quality and value-added wood products. It is vital that the products are diversified and meet the international standards, in order to increase domestic capacities and competitiveness. While adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in the Covid-19 era in the country and around the world - through adopting the new technology and increasing the use of e-commerce.” H.E Thongphat Vongmany, Deputy Minister of Agricultural and Forestry “This roadmap will help to tackle challenges and open new important markets, building on the opportunities and development potential for this sector. The EU and its member states are proud to take an active role to contribute to this objective, side-by-side with the Lao PDR’s authorities, in view of the foreseen graduation from the Least Developed Country status in the near future.” H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to Lao PDR “More than a plan, the Roadmap is a living document for action. Today, this launch event represents the successful completion of the design stage of the roadmap and the beginning of the implementation phase. We at ITC are proud to have been assisting in the achievement of this important milestone, which was developed under the umbrella of the EU ARISE Plus – Lao PDR project.” Dorothy Ng'ambi Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre About Arise Plus Lao PDR: The ASEAN Regional Integration Support – Lao PDR Trade-Related Assistance project (ARISE Plus Lao PDR) is funded by the European Union (EU). It aims to contribute to inclusive economic growth, increased climate change resilience, mitigation of vulnerability and job creation in Lao PDR. Find us online: https://www.intracen.org/arise-plus-laos/ | https://www.facebook.com/groups/ariseplus/ About ITC - The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr Media enquiries about ITC should be directed to
Ms. Kay-amphone Singhalath
International Trade Centre
Communication Consultant
E: Ksinghalath@intracen.org
T: +61 426 474 909

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Press Release

17 November 2021

The 13th High Level Roundtable Meeting in Lao PDR

The Round Table is an inclusive forum for discussing and exchanging views on the implementation progress of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan in each period of time between the Government and development partners. The meeting was officially opened with an opening remarks from H.E. Mr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, and Mr. Achim Steiner, Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, UNDP Administrator. Mr. Achim Steinershared his pre-recorded comments from New York emphasizing that“The 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan presents an opportunity for Lao PDR to pursue a smooth graduation”, whilst stressing that “a strategy to ‘build forward better’ from COVID-19 should be an integral part of this plan. That is crucial given that the pandemic has deepened existing inequalities, with the most vulnerable bearing the brunt of the impact.” He concluded his address noting that “development is no longer a one-way transfer of funds or expertise. Rather, it is centred on the principle of “co-creating” and “co-investing” in solutions.” And that “In that spirit, the entire United Nations family will be on hand to support Lao PDR in its pursuit of the 2030 Agenda.” After the opening session, H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Investment, chaired the meeting together with his co-chair, UN Resident Coordinator to the Lao PDR, Ms. Sara Sekkenes. The 13th Roundtable consisted of a variety of side events and consultations and finished with today’s High-Level Meeting. The meeting comes at an important moment for Lao PDR as the country enters its first year of the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and is beginning the preparatory period for graduation from the Least Developed Country status, amid the period when Lao PDR as well as countries worldwide are suffering from impacts derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues were, therefore, the discussion core in this meeting. Simultaneously, the meeting also reviewed Lao PDR’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through a presentation of the 2nd Voluntary National Review and a mid-term review of the Country Action Plan of the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (2015-2025) In his official opening remarks for the High-Level Round Table Meeting, His Excellency Mr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, noted that “This year’s High Level Roundtable Meeting is a result of a joint effort between the Government of the Lao PDR and its Development Partners who have engaged in discussions and consultations on the development issues of the Lao PDR. Accordingly, I hope to see commitments made by both domestic and international development partners with regard to the support of the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR, particularly the implementation of the national agenda 2021-2023 on the economic and financial remediation as well as the fight against drug trafficking; the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan; the graduation from Least Developed Countries status by 2026 and the achievement of goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” He further addressed that “the Government will continue to pay close attention on preventing, controlling and containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Lao PDR aims to inoculate 50% of its population within 2021 and would like to urge development partners to continue providing more vaccines to help combating the outbreak.” UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Sara Sekkenes, underlined that the High-Level Round Table offers a unique opportunity for discussions and exchanges that ensure the pursuit of people-centred development. Government of Lao PDR and development partners gathered today to thoroughly ‘take stock’ of past achievements and lessons learnt, ‘look forward’ and discuss issues relevant to national planning, and ‘think about how’ by reviewing development cooperation and coordination with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our work for the benefit of our beneficiaries and leaving no one behind. Ms. Sara Sekkenes further emphasized that with a clear commitment to, and conviction that comprehensive and sustainable development requires multilateral cooperation across sectors, the UN system looks forward to development partners and Government counterparts to join this whole-of-system approach, introduced by the reform of the UN Development System in 2018. Ms Sekkenes went on to note that this year’s Round Table and technical level side events represent the most recent steps in long standing processes and the product of a strong commitment by the Government of Lao PDR, and other development partners, working together to identify key issues for the implementation of the 9th NSEDP and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a challenging time. As chair of the event, H.E. Dr. Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment, noted that to ensure that the results of the 13th High-Level Round Table Meeting are implemented with maximum effectiveness. ”I would like to encourage all relevant line ministries, provincial authorities, development partners, international organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations to continue their close consultation and coordination in contributing to the successful and effective implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025), thereby laying strong foundations for the remediation of impacts from COVID-19, the preparation for the graduation of LDC Status and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. I would like to emphasize the importance of intensifying our efforts in improving coordination and management mechanism for ODA projects and programmes through the Roundtable Process (RTP), the Sector Working Groups (SWGs) in accordance with the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan (VDCAP) to ensure their alignment with the sector strategies and ensure that the impacts are felt all the way to the local levels”. He stated in his closing remarks: “On this auspicious occasion, on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR and the Lao People, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to all Development Partners, International Organizations, International Financial Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector who have provided their financial as well as technical assistance to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR. I sincerely hope that you will continue to provide your support to the improvement of livelihoods of the Lao People, especially those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which the Government and Development Partners consider the utmost priority alongside the implementation of the National and International Development Agenda.” For more information, please contact:
Mr. Alounsith Maniphon
Director of International Organisations Division, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment
Mob: + 856 20 5999 9153 Email: toom_mpi@yahoo.com

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Press Release

16 November 2021

Government of Lao PDR and United Nations sign 2022-2026 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, strengthening the UN’s support to the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan

Succeeding the 2017-2021 Lao PDR- UN Partnership Framework, the 2022-2026 UNSDCF is the first since the reform of the UN development system, ushered in by the adoption by UN General Assembly Resolution 72/279 in 2018, transforming the way the UN works, building a platform for greater coordination, coherence, effectiveness, and development impact. The implementation of the UN Reform through the UNSDCF is characterised by strengthened alignment to national development priorities, comprehensive and interconnected strategic priorities, a structure underpinned by results-based management principles, streamlined coordination mechanisms, and a practical and targeted monitoring and evaluation framework. The signing officially marks the end of a process that started in August 2020, with the adoption of an agreed roadmap between the UN and the Government of Lao PDR on the further elaboration of the new Framework. The formulation process was highly consultative, with numerous exchanges held between UN entities, together with the Government of Lao PDR, with development partners, civil society, and private sector representatives to seek and reflect broad-based views and aspirations. The signing also allows for the beginning of the implementation of the SDCF on 1 January 2022. The UNSDCF is aligned with the overarching directions and six pillars of the 2021-2025 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Underpinned by the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the UN’s independent analysis of development opportunities and challenges in Lao PDR, and a thorough evaluation of the previous Partnership Framework, the UNSDCF also mainstreams UN guiding principles for development cooperation seeking to Leave No One Behind, through the application of a Human-Rights Based Approach, addressing Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Resilience, Sustainability, and Accountability. The UNSDCF represents the contributions to sustainable development of twenty-five Agencies, Funds, and Programmes of the UN Development System[1]. The Framework will be implemented through four transformational strategic priorities: People’s Wellbeing, Inclusive Prosperity, Governance and the Rule of Law, and Environment, Climate Change and Resilience. Corresponding outcomes anticipate that, by 2026, people, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, … … will have more equitable and inclusive access to and will benefit from better quality health, nutrition, food, shelter, protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and education and learning, including during emergencies. … will benefit from more inclusive, resilient, transformative, and sustainable socio-economic and demographic opportunities to reduce poverty and inequalities. …are better served by public institutions at all levels in a transparent and inclusive manner, able to exercise their rights and obligations and the institutions shall be strengthened and more accountable while the rule of law and international human rights commitments made by Lao PDR are upheld. … and institutions will be better able to sustainably access, manage, preserve, and benefit from natural resources and promote green growth that is risk-informed, disaster and climate-resilient. To realise these ambitions, the UN country team will work collaboratively across twenty-one joint outputs, bringing together Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with specific expertise to help national counterparts advance development progress and tackle Lao PDR’s development challenges. In UNICEF’s capacity as co-chair of the results group on People’s Wellbeing, Representative Dr. Pia Rebello Britto noted that “The UN team will be working towards ensuring quality services for all, especially the most vulnerable groups, including children, in an equitable and inclusive manner. Our goal is to achieve the wellbeing of the entire Lao PDR population, leaving no one behind”. Representing the Inclusive Prosperity results group, ILO National Coordinator Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo added “under the new Cooperation Framework, the UN will be working more effectively with the government, private sector and workers’ representatives to support the shift to a more inclusive economic model- addressing the impacts of the pandemic and building forward better”. The UN is a longstanding partner of the Government and people of Lao PDR with WHO as its first entity to establish in-country offices in 1962, and with many more in the years that followed. With an estimated USD 500 million of development investments across the next five years, the UN will work with partners to seize development opportunities and tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time, including COVID-19 recovery, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation, securing a sustainable LDC Graduation, and necessary investments in social sectors for an inclusive, prosperous, and equitable future for all and that leaves no one behind. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation to the continued cooperation and support by the UN to the Lao PDR for the past years, which significantly contributed to the economic-social development in the Lao PDR, and hoped that the UN would continue to provide support and assistance in the future, in particular, in the areas of response to the outbreak and the Covid-19 recovery efforts, climate change, sustainable development, support the Lao PDR to graduate from the LDC status as well as other relevant development areas. For more information, please contact: Ms. Lien Le Thi Huong
Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to Lao PDR
Email: lien.le@one.un.org [1] Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat (DESA); the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); International Labour Organisation (ILO); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); International Organisation for Migration (IOM); International Trade Centre (ITC); Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR); Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF); United Nations Commission On International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); UN Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); UN Development Programme (UNDP); UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); UN Environment Programme (UNEP); UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); UN Population Fund (UNFPA); UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); UN Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS); UN Volunteers (UNV); World Food Programme (WFP); World Health Organisation (WHO) under the overall lead and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinators Office (UN RCO)

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