Government of Lao PDR Awards Friendship Medal to UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

A friendship medal presentation ceremony was held on 19 April 2019 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the contribution of Ms. Kaarina Immonen, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Lao PDR, was celebrated upon completing her assignment. Representing the Government of Laos in presenting the medal was Mr. Thongphane Savanhphet, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, with participation from senior officials from various ministries, as well as representatives of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and UN agencies in Lao PDR. The Vice Minister congratulated and highly valued Ms. Kaarina Immonen’s achievements in contributing to the enhancement of cooperation with and assistance for Lao PDR in various aspects of development activities in Lao PDR. Henceforth, the Government of Lao PDR decided to award her with a friendship medal to commemorate her contribution to the constructive development in Lao PDR. Ms. Kaarina Immonen expressed her appreciation to the cooperation and support from the Government of Lao PDR throughout her assignment for fice years in Laos, as well as reaffirming the UN's continued support and assistance to Lao PDR in the future.

On 22 April 2019, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from Ms. Kaarina Immonen. The Minister, on behalf of the Lao Government, expressed his gratitude for her achievements in Lao PDR and wished her success in her new, future assignment.

As one of the UN agencies, UNDP in Lao PDR has a role to support the government in economic works, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in Lao PDR while the UN Resident Coordinator has the role to coordinate and cooperate with other UN agencies to ensure the optimal effectiveness of assistance from the UN to Lao PDR and to support the Government in realizing the National Socio-Economic Development Plan.