Opening Remarks at 2025 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Meeting

Director General, Vongkham Phanthanouvong, Co-chair of IASC

Distinguished representative from the Government, 

UN agencies and humanitarian partners representing IASC clusters,

Ladies and gentlemen:

Sabaidee ton sao!

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) meeting today. I would like to begin by extending my appreciation to the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, for the continued leadership and collaboration with the UN and humanitarian actors in strengthening disaster preparedness and response in Lao PDR.

Lao PDR is one of the countries in Southeast Asia most vulnerable to climate-related hazards, including floods, storms and landslides. These events are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant challenges for households, communities and institutions.

Just last year, the flooding in Luang Namtha reminded us once again of the critical importance of being prepared – not only to respond swiftly but to build resilience that saves lives and safeguards development gains.

Flooding is the most common and recurring disaster in Laos, with average annual flood losses ranging between 2.8 and 3.6% of GDP (GoL, 2018). Likewise, Laos has a significant vulnerability to landslides, which usually coincide with heavy monsoon rains. While major droughts are less frequent in Lao PDR, we have seen an increase in both their intensity and occurrence in recent years. 

Ladies and gentlemen –

I would like to acknowledge the Government of Lao PDR for its significant progress in laying a strong foundation for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation through the adoption of key legislative and policy frameworks. These efforts are vital for reducing disaster risks, minimizing loss of life and economic impacts, expanding access to multi-hazard early warning systems, and enhancing international cooperation.

Today’s IASC meeting comes at a timely moment following our Tabletop Exercise held last week, which served as a practical space for coordination and reflection, and just ahead of the height of the rainy season. Some provinces, such as Champassak and Salavan, have already been affected by floods induced by Tropical Storm Wutip last week.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of all cluster co-leads and focal points from government ministries, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations, who have contributed to the updated Inter-Agency Contingency Plan 2025. 

This plan is not just a document; it represents our joint commitment to delivering timely, coordinated and effective humanitarian assistance when it is most needed.

Indeed, the IACP is a living document, and I encourage all cluster co-leads, with direction from their respective government leads, to keep it regularly updated. This will ensure that we remain well prepared and equipped with the latest data and necessary capacities and coordination mechanisms.

As you have seen from the agenda, today’s IASC meeting is structured to reflect on our past actions as well as plans ahead. The participants gathered here today are key enablers in strengthening Lao PDR’s disaster resilience.

Today's meeting serves as a platform for us to reflect on our disaster preparedness and response efforts, particularly following the challenges we encountered during the 2024 flood season. We will share critical insights gained from the Luang Namtha flood needs assessment, enhancing our collective understanding and capacity to respond to future emergencies.

Looking ahead, our ability to reduce disaster risks, save lives, and minimize direct and indirect economic losses will depend on three critical factors:

• First, proactive planning based on realistic scenarios, timely risk assessments and robust data;
• Second, the adoption of inclusive Early Warning and Early Action measures that effectively reach at-risk communities, with targets linked to gender, protection and leaving no one behind principles;
• And third, the establishment and operationalization of disaster trigger mechanisms to ensure timely, predictable and accountable humanitarian responses.

Dear friends and colleagues –

I am very pleased to see a sustained and strengthened collaboration this year between cluster co-leads from the UN and development partners with government cluster leads and relevant ministries in updating the 2025 contingency plan, conducting the Tabletop Exercise, and engaging through other key platforms. 

This truly reflects the spirit of the cluster approach in supporting the national response. I encourage the continuation of this joint effort among the UN actors, INGOs and development partners, in order to further enhance humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery.

Let us continue on this path of joined-up and coordinated response so that our roles and responsibilities are clear, aligned and complementary the next disaster strikes.

Thank you, once again, all for your commitment and collaboration. I look forward to fruitful discussions and a productive meeting this morning. 

Khob chai lai lai!