The UN-supported boat racing team in Lao PDR on a crusade against single-use plastics.

The United Nations in Lao PDR

The UN-supported boat racing team in Lao PDR on a crusade against single-use plastics.
Photo: © The United Nations in Lao PDR, Olga Nilova

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Lao PDR, consisting of all the UN specialised Agencies, Funds and Programmes serving the country, together with the World Bank, supports the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Lao PDR's national development targets through sustainable and equitable socio-economic development. The UNCT works as one to help the Government and people of Lao PDR fight poverty by ensuring a rights-based approach to development, supporting the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of cultural heritage, and promoting human rights, gender equality and good governance. The UN focuses its assistance on the most vulnerable and poor, in particular women, children and youth.

In support of the 18 national development goals, the UNCT collaborates with the Government and the broader development community, including civil society and private sector. The work of the UN in Lao PDR is guided by the Lao PDR – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. 

The UNCT is led by the UN Resident Coordinator. 

Milestones

The Sustainable Development Goals 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.