Heads of 2019 Round Table Implementation Meeting delegations pay a courtesy call to the Prime Minister of Lao PDR

At the courtesy call, H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Investment, presented an overview of the 2019 RTIM, and Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR, debriefed the Prime Minister, on behalf of all development partners, on the outcomes of the 2019 RTIM discussions.

The 2019 Round Table Implementation Meeting was held under the theme of “Enhanced partnership for Effective Development Cooperation to accelerate the implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and for the preparation of the 9th NSEDP” on 25-26 November 2019 in Luangprabang at the Provincial Governor’s Office, consisting of:

• The Technical Forum on day 1 focusing on Lao PDR’s graduation from the Least Developed Country status and the transition period, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) localization, disaster risk reduction, implementation of the Green Growth Strategy and integration of climate change into the 9th NSEDP. The day also included the delegates’ field visits to the UXO clearance project, supported with the official development assistance, and Khan riverbank protection project, funded from the state budget.

• Informed by the above-mentioned Technical Forum, the High-Level Dialogue on day 2 focused on the progress of the 8th NSEDP implementation in 2019, priorities planned for 2020 and preparation of the 9th NSEDP. The delegates paid a visit to the 2019 RTIM Development Exhibition. The participants of the 2019 RTIM High-Level Dialogue discussed key outcomes and recommendations of the meeting that were presented during the courtesy call.

At the 2019 RTIM meeting, the government, development partners, civil society and the private sector committed to enhance efforts in building a solid foundation for a qualitative and sustainable economic transformation and ensuring that socio-economic growth is aligned with environmental protection. These principles are essential to accelerate the imlementation of the 8th  NSEDP and progress towards achieving the SDGs, leading to the preparation and future implemenation of the 9th NSEDP. The development partners reconfirmed their commitment to continue working together with the Government on supporting Lao PDR towards achieving the objectives outlined at the 2019 RTIM, and in particular in the areas of the panel discussions and recommendations, to ensure sustainable development for all.

The debriefing also referred to the cross-cutting issues that were at the centre of the 2019 RTIM discussions, namely macroeconomic stability and public finance reform, investment in human capital ensuring inclusion of the vulnerable groups, promotion of the private sector and ease of doing business, as well as risk-informed and resilient development in order to secure the hard-won development gains.

The courtesy call to the Prime Minister was held in a constructive, open and inclusive manner. Following today’s meeting, the Round Table Process Secretariat will mainstream the recommendations of the Prime Minister of Lao PDR for implementation at the ministerial, sector and local levels, and share them with the partner countries, development partners, international organisations and other stakeholders.  

For more information please contact:

Mr. Viriya Pounsiri, Deputy Director of International Organisations Division, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment; viriya.pounsiri@gmail.com; tel: (856 20) 2257 7577

Anna Perkova, Communications & Partnership Support Officer, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Lao PDR; anna.perkova@one.un.org; office: (856 21) 267 760 | mobile: (856 20) 5802 0829