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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Publication

02 November 2022

Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 1 Vulnerable Groups

This information bulletin was jointly developed by the Macroeconomic Research Institute, LASES, and the UN in Lao PDR under the Joint Programme on “High Frequency Data” in response to the current food, energy, and financing crises. The bulletin spotlights Vulnerable Groups in the context of the financial and socio-economic challenges in Lao PDR and is the first bulletin in a series as part the Joint Programme. The second one will provide information on “Food Security and Livelihoods” and the third bulletin is on “Macroeconomic analysis of the country’s economy”. More about the programme: The Joint Programme was set up in the context of the rapidly depreciating value of the KIP and the rising prices for food, fuel and fertilisers which came on top of the already exacerbated financial and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The current shocks can affect a wide range of individuals in many areas ranging from employment status, education, food consumption to gender-based violence. To capture these recent manifestations and potential trends, the Joint Programme considers collected data from households and businesses across the country as well as macro-economic developments. Until December 2022, the data collected and related analysis will be made available to interested stakeholders and distributed through three information bulletins and discussed during a multi-stakeholder workshop towards the end of the programme. The outcome of this workshop as well as the most significant findings of the three bulletins will be summarised in a final policy report. This Joint Programme is funded by the Joint SDG Fund’s Development Emergency Modality, which was set to give more than 100 UN country teams worldwide the opportunity to receive fast and flexible seed financing to support governments in understanding the current changes and needs to tackle the ongoing global food, energy, and financing crises.

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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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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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24 November 2022

27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) - We must all step up action to overcome the Triple Planetary Crisis

The motto of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)’s National Green Growth Strategy, i.e., “For achieving the economic growth that is efficient, clean, comprehensive, inclusive, fair and resilient to climate change and global economic uncertainties”, emphasising clean and climate-resilient growth, is now more significant than ever in the face of the intertwined and cascading global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – the Triple Planetary Crisis. As pointed out by United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, “the climate crisis is the defining issue of our time”. More broadly, “humanity is waging war on nature”, which calls for urgent and radical change in the way we interact with the environment. The 27th Climate Change Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) – which officially opened in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday 6 November, offers us a chance to reflect on this pressing challenge. The 27th session of the COP takes place 6-18 November 2022 – with a view to building on previous efforts and paving the way for future ambition to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change. A threat to sustainable development, globally and in Lao PDR Today, the Triple Planetary Crisis is the single largest obstacle to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed by world leaders in 2015. As a result of continued greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, global warming has reached 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels. Climate change is causing extreme weather with ever-increasing frequency and intensity, threatening to undo hard-won development gains. In 2020, climate shocks forced 30 million people to flee their homes. It also has drastic impacts on human health – between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. Biodiversity and people’s well-being are also inextricably linked: biodiversity is the basis for crucial ecosystem services on which we dependent for everything from food to clean water, medicine, and the supply of materials used across economic activity. Yet, our relentless demand for the earth’s resources is devastating ecosystems and accelerating extinction rates, undermining biodiversity and nature’s future ability to provide such contributions. Around 1 million of the world’s 8 million species of plants and animals currently face the threat of extinction. Humanity is also failing to take action to reduce air and water pollution, safely manage chemicals, and reduce and manage waste. As a result, pollution causes around 9 million premature deaths annually. Certainly, as well as many other developing nations, Lao PDR is not amongst the largest contributors to the crisis. Lao PDR’s greenhouse gas emissions are only a fraction of those of developed nations. Despite worrying trends of an alarming deforestation rate around 1% annually, its nature is still vast and under increased good forestry management, and while it is a rapidly growing issue, pollution also remains less severe here than in many other countries. But the Triple Planetary Crisis knows no borders and Lao PDR is not immune to the implications of this global emergency. Climate change affects every nation: Lao PDR is projected to experience a 2–3 °C rise in temperature by 2050, and recent tropical storms Mulan and Noru in August and September highlighted the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. The current food crisis is already exposing the global nature of food security. Biodiversity loss – threatening annual global crop output worth between US$235 billion and US$577 billion due to pollinator decline – will worsen food insecurity in all countries, including Lao PDR. Pollution is similarly transboundary: air pollution crosses borders and water pollution runs down rivers, not least the regionally significant Mekong River and its tributaries. We must all take action to protect the environment Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis calls for action by all countries, and all people. Lao PDR has already made vigorous efforts in this regard. The 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025 includes targets and activities to mitigate all aspects of the crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The importance of environmental considerations in development is also reflected in the National Green Growth Strategy. To ensure aspirations turn into action, Lao PDR developed the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy with “green growth and climate finance” as a priority sector. On the international stage, Lao PDR set the regional bar by becoming the first ASEAN country to pledge net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the Climate Ambitions Summit in December 2020. Following COP26, Lao PDR announced targets for 2030 including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, increasing forest cover to 70% of total land area, promoting increased use of renewable and clean energy through a 30% share of electric vehicles and 10% biofuel. Notwithstanding such efforts, there are still numerous opportunities and an immediate necessity to step up action. As of today, no country is doing enough. Lao PDR’s limited resilience and near-annual exposure to natural disasters urgently calls for strengthening climate adaptation to shift from cycles of disaster relief to disaster mitigation, preparedness and prevention. Ecosystem-based adaptation solutions tried and tested elsewhere could be cost-effectively implemented in Lao PDR through South-South Cooperation and bring biodiversity co-benefits. During COP26 in Glasgow last year, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, the Government recommitted to reaching a Net Zero Emission by 2050. To ensure effective implementation, the government has been working with relevant institutions and development partners to develop a strong policy framework including an updated National Climate Change Strategy up to 2030, an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (2021), and to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025). In addition, UN research suggests Lao PDR could become carbon neutral by 2040 by adopting a circular economy approach. More immediately, the COP27 in Egypt now officially open will enable the Lao delegation to take part in crucial climate discussions – amongst others on access to climate finance to achieve the country’s net-zero target. It is also an opportune time to further accelerate adoption and implementation of climate-conscious policy. Beyond government, addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis will require a whole-of-society approach, involving all stakeholders including you and us. To achieve nation-wide green growth, private sector investment must be directed towards environmentally sound technologies, increasingly available and at rapidly decreasing cost. These can be accelerated through targeted fiscal incentives for priority sectors. Applying a human rights-based approach to climate action can improve outcomes and empower the most affected groups and peoples. Lao PDR’s younger generation can also play a role in addressing this crisis. They can make their homes and schools more environmentally friendly by reducing waste and preserving resources such as water and electricity. They can share their creativity and innovative idea to raise awareness on climate change and environmental issue with the whole society. Environmentally-aware youth can set the example – calling on older generations to step up their efforts – and soon become the next generation of decision-makers to implement the radical environmental changes we need. It is in everyone’s interest to jointly expand environmental protection. And beyond mutual interest, the urgent need to protect nature is above all an opportunity for global solidarity. It is a chance for every individual to act, to make a contribution to the global effort to preserve our common planet, and to play a part in bringing humanity one step closer to living in peace, dignity and equality, within the planetary boundaries upon which all our other aspirations depend. Op-Ed, co-penned by H.E. Mme Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR.

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03 October 2022

The LDC Graduating Cohort of 2026: Working across countries and UN agencies to support a smooth transition

In November 2021, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and Nepal officially qualified to graduate out of the least developed countries category by 2026. This was an important development milestone for the three countries marked by reaching threshold criteria in per capita gross national income, human assets index, and economic and environmental vulnerability index for two consecutive three-year cycles. The three countries differ significantly in terms of their economies, geographies, and histories. Yet, they share the common prospect of graduating out of the LDC category in the aftermath of the greatest global pandemic in living memory, followed by the cascading effects and impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, against the backdrop of the intensifying triple planetary crisis. Bangladesh is among the countries that extensively use the international support measures for LDCs to increase exports and produce pharmaceuticals for domestic and international markets. Given the dependence of exports on duty-free-quota-free market access, the Government and private sector of Bangladesh would like to prioritize advocacy and negotiations for continuation of the trade and intellectual property related support measures and preparing the country to access better trade deals. Nepal, on the other hand, has not been able to fully utilize available international support measures due to the supply side constraints, and so its losses in trade and erosion in concessional aid are expected to be low in the short to medium term. However, Nepal may experience constraints on diversifying exports due to high tariffs, loss of flexibility in the implementation of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement, limited flexibilities to promote infant industries and other. To offset these challenges, the Government of Nepal and the private sector prioritize international support to accelerate economic transformation, bring foreign direct investment, and access to development finance, particularly climate finance. For Lao PDR, the case is of relatively limited exports taking place under LDC-specific market access arrangements as most trade is covered by regional agreements, but LDC provisions are important for some key sectors and a growing demand for new export markets. Key challenges for Lao PDR in managing a smooth transition relate to securing sufficient development finance, in particular climate finance, and strengthening integrated planning to support economic transformation and sustainable long-term development. Rising inflation and emerging complexities around the price of food, energy, and finance over the course of 2022 have subsequently added to the difficulties and challenges for these three countries. In this context, the UN in the three countries is supporting respective governments in addressing country-specific needs associated with graduation within their Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. A key imperative for LDC graduation is to ensure that the transition is smooth and sustainable in the face of shocks and a changing global context. For this, the three graduating countries are formulating nationally owned, time-bound, and action-oriented Smooth Transition Strategies. Relevant expertise, knowledge, and capacity to support the development, and later implementation, of these strategies sits across different parts of the UN development system- at national, regional, and global levels. This includes dedicated specialists in UNDESA—including with its secretarial support to the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), which advises the Economic and Social Council of the UN General Assembly on a wide range of issues relevant for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the LDC graduation process, —OHRLLS, UNCTAD, and ESCAP, as well as in-country technical capacities in agencies such as ITC, ILO and UNDP and the overall in-country coordination of systemwide efforts supported by the strategic economic and development analysis and planning capacity of RCOs led by UN Resident Coordinators. The reform of the UN has created the opportunity to take a significant step forward in the efficiency with which this distributed capacity can be used to support government efforts. In particular, to facilitate the process and help land such support among in-country stakeholders, as Resident Coordinators of the three countries, thanks to new ways of working, we have been able to convene integrated cross-country support that is showing the potential to make a difference at this key moment for the three countries. This has included regular discussions across the RCOs of the three countries to coordinate approaches, share practice and facilitate peer learning, and support the three countries in leveraging a common voice, aligning their positions for international negotiations. Challenged by COVID-19, but nonetheless almost two years of effective background work, and a first virtual meeting among government representatives in 2021, this led to physically bringing the three governments together for a joint South-South Exchange. The three RCOs, with support from the UNDESA and in collaboration with the UN-OHRLLS and UNESCAP organized the conference on formulating smooth transition strategies in Bangkok in August 2022. Among the participants were Government officials who would lead and draft the transition strategies, and representatives from the private sector and civil society. Experts from UN Development System, multilateral organizations, representative from the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam, academia, and think-tanks also joined. The topics discussed ranged from challenges and priorities of each country to specific thematic issues common to all countries. These included issues like leaving no one behind, market access, intellectual property rights, export diversification, climate action, the criticality of investments into human capital, development finance, and domestic resource mobilization. This broad and inclusive participation and agenda showcased promising practice and possible pathways ahead, but also highlighted the many trade-offs that must be addressed to ensure a sustainable, irreversible, and quality LDC graduation. LDC graduation not only brings changes to the trade and finance landscape, but it also directly affects people – workers in the sectors most impacted, and unskilled workers across the board. Particularly affected are women in the informal sector and in factory jobs and, importantly, the prospects for future employment opportunities which underscores the criticality of investments into human capital looking ahead. It is, therefore, an imperative to ensure that LDC graduation is inclusive and that the smooth transition strategies incorporate the interests of all stakeholders, including workers and an outlook that stretches beyond the immediate concerns. To that end the South-South Exchange included discussions on leaving no one behind, inclusive institutions, environmental and labour standards, and human rights as key drivers for sustainable economic growth. Also on the agenda was climate change and the potential for climate action to be supported by concessional climate finance to drive sustainable development of these LDCs. Government representatives of all three countries actively engaged in these discussions. During final presentations, they committed to work on the issues on inclusive development, increased investment in human capital, labour and human rights, and environmental standards for an informed smooth transition strategy. The discussions unpacked some of the needs of the three countries for policy, capacity, and technical support, and they clarified areas where joint advocacy could be leveraged to create space for advanced engagement and broader development cooperation. The event also provided the opportunity for the private sector representatives of the three countries to engage directly with each other. There is also interest among the three governments to continue the peer exchange and learning through virtual discussions. Importantly, the work also serves to demonstrate what can be achieved with more coordinated and integrated support from across the UN system, also when capacities do not sit directly in-country. The preparations for a smooth LDC graduation cut across the mandates of many parts of government and of the UN development system, offering the potential to spur integrated and transformational ways of working, and to address some of the most pressing and challenging multidimensional development challenges facing countries today. The next steps in the process will involve each country identifying the needs for technical, financial and policy support in more granular detail, and mobilizing country-specific support through the UN and other development partners. The UN’s support to the three countries will require to be tailored to the needs identified in these ongoing discussions and be fully anchored within the respective UN Sustainable Development Frameworks. Our offices will carry on the collaboration across the three RCOs and with UNDESA at the technical level to facilitate exchange between the three Governments. We will continue to coordinate our advocacy and messaging both internally and in international fora. Delivering as One-UN can go beyond country teams and across borders and indeed, also coherently align UN efforts vertically from HQ through regional to country-based support in line with the ambitions of the UN development system reform.

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03 October 2022

Government of Lao PDR and development partners validate the Financing Strategy for the 9th NSEDP

Vientiane, 28 September 2022 – Under the chairmanship of H.E. Phonevanh Outhavong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment and Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR, a High-Level Structured Dialogue was convened to validate the final draft of the Financing Strategy for the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021-2025. After nearly two years of technical work and broad-based consultations, the event saw the presentation of policy objectives, actions and implementation arrangements as agreed among 10 ministries and 20 national institutions to address Lao PDR’s financing constraints and increase investment needed to support the achievement of the national development priorities set out in the 9th NSEDP. Led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Dialogue was attended by representatives from the Government of Lao PDR, notably departments involved in the policy formulation including the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Lao PDR, the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, of Environment and Natural Resources, of Energy and Mines, of Agriculture and Forestry, of Education and Sports, of Health, of Foreign Affairs and others, as well as embassies, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, the private sector, the INGO network, and the UN Country Team. In her opening remarks, H.E. Phonevanh Outhavong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment said: “The draft Financing Strategy is well aligned with the government’s directions for quality, focused, green and sustainable growth. We appreciate the partnership with the UN and all relevant sectors and development partners in a collaborative effort to help identify, understand and improve the flow of resources towards financing our national development priorities contained in the 9th NSEDP, including through measures instrumental to supporting the re-orientation of investments towards more sustainable development in line with the national plan. This is of significance considering the limited development finance, economic difficulties, and additional investments required to address our national agenda as we transition towards graduating from the Least Developed Country status in the near future.” Preparing for the 2022 Round Table Meeting, expected in late November,the dialogue allowed development partner representatives to share views and potential support for the Financing Strategy’s 54 policies and actions, and to cement partnerships for a successful implementation. Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR emphasised the necessity to invest in human capital and a greener growth, saying: “there are two considerable challenges that cannot afford to wait. The first one is safeguarding investments in human capital. The second challenge is to counter an existential threat of more global dimensions: the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss, and pollution.” Adding that ”such courageous decisions may limit economic return in the short run but yield sustainable long-term growth to the benefit of future generations." The Financing Strategy formulation was led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, with broad technical assistance coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, including from the UN Joint Programme on Financing Efficiency funded by the Joint SDG Fund, implemented jointly by UNDP, UNCDF, and UNFPA, and with additional contributions from UNDESA, UNEP, UNICEF, UNODC, WHO as well as the World Bank, GGGI, Australia, Japan, EU, ADB, and JICA. The Financing Strategy is expected to be endorsed by the Government of Lao PDR by the end of this year.

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23 September 2022

ILO and UNICEF organise Social Protection Seminar and Field Visit for the National Assembly

Vientiane, September 16 – From 5-16 September 2022, newly appointed members of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Assemblies of Lao PDR participated in seminars to strengthen capacities and broaden understanding of social protection policymaking and financing. The seminars were followed by a three-day field visit to the pilot programme, Mother and Early Childhood Grant, in Sanamxay and Phouvong districts, Attapeu province. The seminar encompassed concepts and principles related to design and financing of social protection, good practices and innovations from ASEAN and developing countries on expanding coverage, the policy and legislative framework in Lao PDR, the development of the Korean social protection system and its role in previous crises, as well as the design and implementation of the pilot Mother and Early Childhood Grant in southern Lao PDR. Madam Thoummaly Vongphachan, President of Social and Cultural Affairs Committee, National Assembly stated in her opening remarks, “This seminar is very important for the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly members from the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee and its Secretariat. It will help to strengthen the legislative, oversight, representational and monitoring capacities for the current five-year mandate. It will also contribute to our role in the development and amendment of laws in the labour and social welfare as well as health sectors, particularly the amendment of the Law on Social Security and Law on National Health Insurance and the development of the Law on Social Welfare during the upcoming Congress session in 2024.” “In times of crisis, when a particular set of conditions is met, cash in the hands of the poorest members of society provided through state systems can ensure that they continue to spend money on their basic needs, a measure that also supports local and national economies. Allocating domestic resources to social protection programmes, such as non-contributory cash transfers, can help to ensure that such programmes are sustainable, as opposed to a donor-focussed, project-based approach”, noted Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, ILO and UNICEF. It was co-funded by the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme “Supporting the Implementation of Sustainable Social Protection Floors for Workers and their Families in ASEAN — Phase III” and the Government of Australia through the UN Joint Programme “Leaving no one behind: Establishing the basis for social protection floors in Lao PDR”. Mr. Sunggil Son, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme who was a resource person at the seminar said, “This is a very meaningful opportunity for me. I hope that the discussions will further develop and strengthen the social protection system in Lao PDR. The ILO/Korea Partnership Programme 2021–2023 will continue to support Lao PDR in close collaboration with the tripartite constituents, the National Assembly and the Provincial People’s Assemblies in Lao PDR.” After the three seminars for the northern, central and southern regions, Members from the National Assembly and southern People’s Assemblies visited the pilot programme, Mother and Early Childhood Grant in Sanamxay and Phouvong districts. They were accompanied by a team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, ILO, UNICEF and the Australian Embassy. They spoke to mothers who have benefitted, thus witnessing the real impact of social welfare. Ms. Anna Dyason, First Secretary, Education and Governance at the Embassy of Australia in Lao PDR declared, “The MECG promotes better outcomes in nutrition and livelihoods. Even with the challenges in project implementation, the impact of this programme is significant. Many women and children have received the payment and I thank all the government stakeholders on fulfilling these difficult tasks. I also wish to recommend that the government allocate more funding to child grants.” The field visit was welcomed by Mr. Bounseuth Sethirath, Vice Governor of Attapeu province who made an extensive report on the MECG implementation, stating, “From June 2021, the project has provided payments to 1,340 mothers in 46 villages of Sanamxay district and 15 villages of Phouvong district. Some mothers live far away and cannot leave their farms to collect the money in the rainy season. We will continue to monitor pending payments to them. Ultimately, this programme is very important to improve nutrition in rural areas and make people seek health services more.” For more information, please contact Ms. Loveleen De, Program Manager, ILO: del@ilo.org or Ms. Maryam Abdu, Chief of Social Policy, UNICEF: mabdu@unicef.org.

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19 September 2022

High-Level Consultation on the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy

Vientiane, 16 September 2022 – A High-Level Consultation was convened on Friday with those that have been technically engaged to discuss the advanced draft of the Financing Strategy for the 9th NSEDP containing concrete policies and actions to ensure the sustainable financing of national development priorities. The half-day meeting which was chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, H.E. Mme Phonevanh Outhavong, and UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Sara Sekkenes, was attended by about 50 representatives from government, including Deputy Ministers and leading departments of involved Ministries, notably the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Lao PDR, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Ministry of Energy and Mines, as well as Heads of Mission of engaged development partners including Australia, Japan, EU, ADB, GGGI, IMF, JICA, World Bank, UNCDF, UNDESA, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNODC, WHO, and the UNRCO. The meeting deliberated the MPI-led draft Financing Strategy, which is based on the Integrated National Financing Framework methodology endorsed at the 2015 Conference on Financing for Development with all Member States, which considers all public and private sources of finance, with a clear focus on resolving fiscal challenges and simultaneously improving the regulatory framework for quality and sustainable investments, and the result of a collaborative process of nearly two years of consultation workshop with a large group of stakeholders. The draft financing strategy was reviewed in detail during a two-day “writeshop” within government in early September and comprises 54 policies and actions and a dedicated matrix with assigned responsibilities for a rapid and smooth implementation from January 2023 to the end of 2025 when the 9th NSEDP comes to its end. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, H.E. Mme Phonevanh Outhavong said the mission of this broadly consulted and comprehensive financing strategy is to ensure effectiveness in the financing of the national plan through actions that will help increase the volume of development finance and improve the alignment of available resources with the 9th NSEDP. Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR, similarly mentioned that there is an imperative for strong guiding directions to mitigate the effects of the financial challenges Lao PDR faces, that can prioritise policies and targeted financial decisions that can bring the country back on its sustainable development trajectory. The consultation also discussed preparation for the High-Level Structured Dialogue, which will see the validation of the 9th NSEDP Financing Strategy, among a much broader and open-ended group of stakeholders, planned for the end of September 2022. This Financing Strategy is set to be endorsed by the end of this year by the government of Lao PDR, as an integral part of the national plan, and will guide the remaining implementation of the 9th NSEDP.

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Press Release

06 November 2022

UN Day 2022: Seminar on Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals

The seminar aimed to raise awareness for the high school students and public on the triple planetary crisis and the urgency of climate action. It also offered an opportunity for the young people to raise their concerns and propose initiatives to address the triple planetary crisis. The event was attended by UN Country Team members, led by Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR; Ambassador John Pearson, UK Ambassador to Lao PDR; Mr. Loris Palentini, WWF Country Director; Dr. Kongmeng Ly, specialist from the Mekong River Commission; representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources and Environment; the Faculty of Environmental Science, National University of Laos; and over 100 students from the School for Gifted and Ethnic Students as well as participants joining online. In his opening remarks, Dr. Khamphouth Phommasone, Director of the School for Gifted and Ethnic Students, highly appreciated the strong acknowledgement by the UN of the important role of the youth to act on climate change. He said: “We share your views on the powerful connection between education and climate change. We strongly believe that climate change education will significantly help students develop a strong personal connection to climate solutions and as a result, an increased sense of responsibility to adapt their daily behaviours to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.” On the same note, Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR, stated in her opening remarks that: “This year, at the recent 77th General Assembly of the United Nations, Secretary General António Guterres reminded us of a world teeming with turmoil, with a war among nations and nations waging war with nature and the planet upon which we all depend.” She further added that: “What better then, to discuss “the defining issues of our time”, at the opportunity of the United Nations Day and the many dimensions of the Triple Planetary Crisis, and learn together with the faculty members and students of the National University of Laos and its School for Gifted and Ethnic Students, what we can do individually and collectively to turn the tide.” The main session of the event began with a panel discussion on the “Triple Planetary Crisis”, moderated by Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR on various issues. The panelists members included H.E. John Pearson, UK ambassador to Lao PDR, who discussed on the importance of addressing Climate Change impacts; Mr. Loris Palentini, WWF-Laos Country Director, sharing the importance of protecting biodiversity and promoting community engagement; and Dr. Kongmeng Ly, a specialist from the Mekong River Commission, talking about water resource management and the impact of water pollution. The afterwards session was followed by a presentation by Mr. Vantthone Phonnasane, Deputy Director of Division, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, who shared about Climate Resilience and Laos’ Preparation for COP27. The participants were enthusiastic to have an excellent opportunity to learn new knowledge on climate resilience, and to have direct intervention and discussion with the panelists throughout the event. Ms. Thipphaphone Vilaysouk, a student from Phonesavanh-the School of Gifted and Ethnic Students who joined the event, said: “I felt so glad to attend this seminar and learn more about the crucial environmental issues occurring on our planet. This event is useful for us to understand more on the environmental issues as well as its resolutions. I hope there will be more events like this in the schools, institutions, and other places in near future so that everyone in the community can be more aware of these issues.”

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Press Release

12 July 2022

Lao PDR to bolster sustainable trade, diversify value chains

Participants recognized the project’s effectiveness and its potential for policy and financial sustainability. Therefore, the project was granted a full-year no-cost extension and will continue until December 2023. The Arise Plus Lao PDR project aims to contribute to the recovery of the Lao economy by supporting capacity building of trade officials, enabling the public sector to develop and implement key policy instruments, while equipping the private sector with skills to produce high-value added, export-oriented products. The meeting brought together over 40 national stakeholders, project partners and funders who reviewed the project’s progress for the first half of 2022 and looked at the priorities for the rest of the year. Between January and June 2022, the project has supported the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) National Enquiry Point to develop its standard operating procedures, trained inspectors of the Food and Drugs Department to improve hygiene and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards, 16 quality champions completed 12 workshops under the “Quality Champions Programme” and started coaching eight companies and small businesses in quality standards, coached and trained wood-processing companies and trained entrepreneurs and the Specialty Coffee Association in coffee organic farming, and sensory and cupping skills. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Manothong Vongxay, the Ambassador of the European Union to Lao PDR, H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė and the International Trade Centre’s Chief for Asia and the Pacific, Xuejun Jiang. H.E. Manothong Vongxay, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce said: “We strongly believe that full and effective implementation of the technical assistance of ARISE Plus Project could contribute to accelerating economic recovery by addressing trade disruptions, improving overall trade and investment environment as well as strengthening supply chains of targeted sectors to make them more resilient to other shocks in the future.” H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union to Lao PDR added: “The EU is very pleased with ARISE+ concrete outputs for the coffee and wood sector that fully contribute to objectives of Team Europe Strategy for 2021-2025 and our vision of a win-win partnership with Lao PDR. The project is playing a crucial role to support Lao PDR to benefit better from regional integration and trade agreements, such as the ASEAN, the RCEP, the EBA.” About ITC - The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations and is a member of the UN country team of Lao PDR working under the overall Lao-PDR UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026. With partners, such as the EU, 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. More information about the project can be found at: https://www.intracen.org/arise-plus-laos/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ariseplus/ Media enquiries about ITC should be directed to Ms. Kay-amphone Singhalath
International Trade Centre
Communication Consultant
E: Ksinghalath@intracen.org
T: +856 20 7777 6597

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Press Release

22 June 2022

Joint Statement to the Press - UN Joint Programme “Leaving No One Behind: Establishing the basis for Social Protection Floors in Lao PDR”

Vientiane, 21 June 2022: After two and a half years of implementation, the Joint Programme on social protection implemented by ILO, UNCDF, and UNICEF under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare held its official closing event. Under the “Leaving No One Behind: Establishing the basis for Social Protection Floors in Lao PDR” Joint Programme, the Government of Lao PDR and the UN system, supported by the Joint SDG Fund and the Government of Australia, have taken a meaningful step towards building a nationally owned and inclusive social protection system. Through an integrated approach, partners have explored innovative approaches to strengthen the national system and lay the foundations for its future expansion and development. Many of the systems, infrastructure and procedures were established for the very first time under the programme and could provide important learning on designing and scaling up social transfers for national authorities and partners in the country. This has supported the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy, which sets out the vision that by 2030, the welfare of all Lao people will be safeguarded by a basic social protection floor. At the event, Madam Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare noted, “The Government of Lao PDR acknowledges the importance of social protection and the UN Joint Programme, which has contributed to the government policy of building a society with solidarity, conciliation, democracy, prosperity and justice. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, as the chair of the National Social Protection Commission and its Secretariat, will play a central role in coordinating and mainstreaming social protection into national socio-economic development as well as the sectoral development plans at central and local level. We will systematically monitor, evaluate and develop legal frameworks for the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy, particularly the three pillars of health insurance, social security and social welfare.” As the Joint Programme draws to a close, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is now faced with another major economic crisis marked by rapidly increasing cost of living, including of food and fuel. Such crises affect the poorest and most vulnerable people the most, whose resilience is already weakened from the impact of the pandemic. However, it is also in times of crisis that social protection can play a critical role, by contributing to stabilizing the economy and ensuring social stability. When a particular set of conditions are met, cash in the hands of low- and middle-income households provided through state systems can ensure that they can continue to spend money on their basic needs, thereby also boosting aggregate demand and supporting economic growth. When well designed, implemented and financed, social protection can also act as a powerful social stabilizer and play a critical role in crisis response. Reflecting on the experience of implementing the Programme, the partners jointly emphasized the need to: Facilitate access to social protection with appropriate allocation of funds for social spending and recognize the specific vulnerabilities of the poor, children, elderly, people with disabilities, women, migrant workers, and other vulnerable groups. Strengthen multi sectoral collaboration, especially between the social welfare, health, education, finance, and rural development sectors. Strengthen synergy between governments, development partners, private sector, social partners, and civil society. Commit to close consultation with and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including representatives of the informal economy. Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR stated, “Going forward, the most effective and efficient response would be to increase the national commitment of domestic resources and to focus on expanding existing programmes or pilots with the view to building a shock-responsive and sustainable national social protection system”. Ms. Sekkenes reiterated that the United Nations stands ready to support the Government, social partners, civil society and national institutions in the common goal of implementing the Strategy and providing social protection to all people in Lao PDR, prioritizing the poorest and most vulnerable, and specially to support the National Social Protection Commission as the primary responsible body for coordinating and overseeing the National Social Protection Strategy. Through these efforts, the Government and United Nations hope to make progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Goals—especially Goal 1: No Poverty, and support a development path that truly leaves no one behind.

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Press Release

02 June 2022

Remarks to Stockholm +50 International Meeting

Excellencies,
Friends, Fifty years ago, the United Nations convened the landmark Conference on the Human Environment here in Stockholm. World leaders recognized that we have a collective responsibility to protect the environment so humanity can enjoy peace, prosperity and sustainable progress. And indeed, over that time humanity has progressed. But today global well-being is in jeopardy, in large part because we have not kept our promises on the environment. Yes, we have rescued the ozone layer – a remarkable example of multilateral cooperation that should inspire us as we go forward. But, as we have become more populous and prosperous, our environmental footprint has become unbearably heavy. Earth’s natural systems cannot keep up with our demands. We are consuming at the rate of 1.7 planets a year. If global consumption were at the level of the world’s richest countries, we would need more than three planet Earths. We face a triple planetary crisis. A climate emergency that is killing and displacing ever more people each year. Ecosystems degradation that are escalating the loss of biodiversity and compromising the well-being of more than 3 billion people. And a growing tide of pollution and waste that is costing some 9 million lives a year. We need to change course – now – and end our senseless and suicidal war against nature. We know what to do. And, increasingly, we have the tools to do it. But we still lack leadership and cooperation. So today, I appeal to leaders in all sectors: Lead us out of this mess. Excellencies and friends, The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement show the way. But we must act on these commitments. Otherwise, they are nothing but hot air. And hot air is killing us. So let me get concrete about new opportunities. Later this year, leaders will finalize a new global biodiversity framework to reverse nature loss by 2030. Work is ongoing to establish a treaty to tackle plastics pollution. And the United Nations Ocean Conference can galvanize efforts to save our oceans. But there is one thing that threatens all our progress. The climate crisis. Unless we act now, we will not have a livable planet. Excellencies, friends, Scientists recently reported that there is a [50:50] chance that we could temporarily breach the Paris Agreement limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next five years. We cannot let that happen. We must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 to reach net-zero by 2050. And developed nations must at least double support to developing countries so that they can adapt and build resilience to the climate disruption that is already happening. Today, I call on G20 governments to dismantle coal infrastructure, with a full phase-out by 2030 for OECD countries and 2040 for all others. And I call on all financial actors to abandon fossil fuel finance and invest in renewable energy. Renewable energy technologies should be seen as a global public good. The necessary raw materials should be available to all. We must scale up and diversify supply chains; Reform bureaucracies to provide clarity to investors; Fast track permits for renewable energy projects and accelerate grid modernization; Shift subsidies from fossil fuels to support vulnerable people and to advance renewables; And triple investments in renewables to at least $4 trillion dollars a year. On top of this we must rapidly and vastly improve energy efficiency. We must reduce deforestation and promote more forest cover by 2030. We must vastly intensify efforts to restore coastal ecosystems and at least 1 billion hectares of degraded land in the next decade. And we must also triple investments in nature-based solutions. If we do these things we can avert climate catastrophe, end a growing humanitarian and inequality crisis and promote inclusive and sustainable development. Excellencies,
Dear friends, Today, I urge countries to embrace the human right to a clean, healthy environment for all people, everywhere – especially poor communities; women and girls; indigenous peoples; young people and the generations to come. To rescue the global environment – and humanity’s future -- we must transform the accounting systems that reward pollution and waste. We must place true value on the environment and go beyond Gross Domestic Product as a measure of human progress and well-being. Let us not forget that when we destroy a forest, we are creating GDP. When we overfish, we are creating GDP. GDP is not a way to measure richness in the present situation in the world. Instead, we must shift to a circular and regenerative economy. That demands a strengthened, networked multilateralism based on trust and global cooperation – as envisaged in our UN report on Our Common Agenda. Every government, business and individual has a role to play. Throughout history, humanity has shown that we are capable of great things. But only when we work together. If we want to survive and thrive, let us protect and nurture our planet, that is our only home. Let us recommit – in words and deeds – to the spirit of responsibility enshrined in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration. Because there is Only One Planet Earth. Thank you

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Press Release

23 May 2022

The First Technical Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the Lao PDR – UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026

Following the adoption of the Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2022-2022) in 2021, the meeting aimed to provide an opportunity for the Government of the Lao PDR (GoL) - UN Joint Steering Committee (JSC) to discuss priorities and works plan for the inaugural year of 2022 under the four outcome areas of the UNSCDF 2022-2026, and also to wrap-up the final formalities of the 2017-2021 Partnership Framework (Annual Progress Report), which concluded in December 2021. On the occasion, H.E Mr. Thongphane Savanphet, stressed the important objective of the JSC in providing strategic oversight of the development and implementation of the development Cooperation Framework, with the aim to ensure strong co-ownership and alignment with national priorities as outlined in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and guided by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The JSC is tasked with ensuring that the development process, including planning, implementation and evaluation of join development efforts are built ib a consultative, coherent and inclusive manner, thus, the active participation and contribution of all partners are vital to translate the visions into action and yield effective and concrete outcomes that would bring benefits to our joint efforts and ultimately to our society. Moreover, H.E Deputy-Minister Thongphane strongly emphasized that ‘partnership, multilateral cooperation and solidarity are the key to our effort in building back better, particularly in this critical time where the global economic instability and the impact of climate change have further inflicted extensive collateral damage on many developing economies that were already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Lao PDR is no exception’. He stated that the Government of Lao PDR has always collaborated closely and engaged with all partners, and especially with the United Nations Country Team in responding to development challenges, and strongly believe that the United Nations will continue to be the most reliable development partner both in technical terms and sustainable resources in implementing the development priorities and the joint plan of activities, particularly in achieving the goals and objectives of the NSEDP, graduation from LDC status, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Sekkenes, stated that ‘Lao PDR – like many countries around the world – is still processing the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, accelerating inflation, in particular surging food and energy prices, were already starting to impact people in Lao PDR and beyond. The Resident Coordinator argued that in this context we cannot afford to be static. Rather, we need to analyse these developments and change our policies, projects and programmes accordingly and to rise to meet these challenges ahead.’ The meeting included briefings and presentations from representatives of both line Ministries and UN agencies on the priorities for the four outcomes under the UNSDCF 2022-2026; on People’s Wellbeing; Inclusive Prosperity; Governance & Rule of Law; and Environment, Climate Change, & Resilience.

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