Opening Remarks at Consultation for the Development of the Lao PDR National Smart City Strategy

Opening Remarks by Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator

Thursday 7 December 2023, 09:00 AM

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane Capital

Deputy Director-General, Department of Housing and Urban Planning, Mr. Nalongxay Myvapadith,

Government and United Nations colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen:

• It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the National Smart City Strategy Consultation.
• Lao PDR is experiencing the highest urbanisation rate in South-East Asia. Today, Laos is still predominantly a rural country, with less than one third of the population living in urban areas. Within a decade or so, more than half of the population will be residing in cities. Urbanization is already creating pressures on limited resources and capacities that are currently on offer.
• Successfully managing urbanization requires all stakeholders to work together on many fronts – from planning of infrastructure, to the systems for delivery of social services, to the design of inclusive and safe spaces for everyone.
• Today's consultation is an opportunity to ensure that we act with the unity and foresight that are required to create smart, inclusive and resilient cities.

Ladies and gentlemen:

• Let me take this opportunity to highlight three reasons today’s consultation is particularly important for Lao PDR’s path towards sustainable development.
• First, urbanisation is a profound transformation, which brings about both challenges and significant opportunities for the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Without a doubt, rapid pace of urbanization will create challenges: unplanned urbanisation can strain resources, exacerbate social inequalities, and compromise the wellbeing of citizens, if environmental concerns such as air pollution are not addressed. Yet, urbanisation creates unique opportunities to improve access to healthcare, education, and decent jobs, while leaving no one behind.
• This brings me to my second point: urbanisation has implications for all sectors.
• A few months ago, I was able to witness the Second Lao National Urban Forum, alongside nearly 2,000 other participants. There, I saw wide range of stakeholders – from Government, civil society, private sector, and international organisations – exchanging on the implications of urbanisation for education, healthcare, economic development, food security, or climate change adaptation, amongst many other areas. Today’s diverse participation and multistakeholder interest is proof that urbanisation has significant implications for all our areas of work, and reflects our shared commitment to smart urbanisation as a factor of sustainable development.
• My third point today – sustainable and smart urban solutions are critical in the global response to the climate crisis.
• Over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from urban areas. Cities are where the fight for climate change mitigation will be won or lost. For the unavoidable impacts of climate change, our cities must be resilient to extreme weather events.
• As most cities of Lao PDR are in lowland plains, flood prevention will be particularly important, and ongoing efforts for ecosystem-based adaptation of localities are therefore crucial. As the UN Secretary General highlighted when speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference or COP28 just a few days ago, local initiatives can lead the way in the global response to the climate crisis.

Dear friends and colleagues:

• In closing, I would like to encourage everyone present today to actively participate and exchange ideas freely throughout this consultation. Through meaningful discussions and sharing insight, you can shape the National Smart City Strategy for Lao PDR.
• In turn, this strategy will chart a course toward sustainable urban development, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward smarter and more connected cities.
• Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to you all, and wish this event fruitful deliberations, networking and collaboration.