Government of Lao PDR and United Nations to convene Joint Steering Committee to shape Cooperation Framework 2027–2031

Co-chaired by Ms. Moukdavanh Sisoulith, Director General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, United Nations Resident Coordinator, the session marks a key milestone in aligning UN programming with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“As we design the next Cooperation Framework, our priority is to ensure full alignment with the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR. “This moment allows us to sharpen our collective focus so that UN support over the next five years is strategic, catalytic and directly responsive to Lao PDR’s national development priorities.”

The additional JSC comes as the current UNSDCF 2022–2026 enters its final year and follows an independent evaluation, extensive consultations with national stakeholders, and a comprehensive country analysis by the UN Country Team. Today’s meeting focuses on confirming shared priorities and agreed outcomes for the 2027–2031 Cooperation Framework, ensuring that United Nations support is aligned, strategic, and directly responsive to Lao PDR’s national development objectives.

Participants include representatives from key ministries, such as finance; agriculture and environment; labour and social welfare; health; education and sports; industry and commerce; technology and communications; justice; and public works and transport, alongside UN agencies operating in Lao PDR.

The annual technical Joint Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for March 2026, where the 2025 United Nations Country Team Annual Results Report and priorities for the final year of the UNSDCF 2022–2026 will be presented.