Latest
Speech
30 May 2024
Remarks at Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on Third Voluntary National Review
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Speech
26 March 2024
Remarks at Annual Disability Policy Dialogue
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Speech
19 March 2024
Technical Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee for the Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026
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Latest
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.
Publication
28 March 2024
UN Country Annual Results Report 2023
The 2023 Annual Results Report provides a comprehensive overview of the UN development support to the national priorities during the second year of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022-26). Bringing together the work of 25 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes under four Strategic Outcomes, the report highlights the collective work of the UN in Lao PDR in response to key development challenges in 2023. Human interest stories, reflections on how we worked together and priorities for the future are also featured in the report.
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Publication
01 April 2024
2023 Common Country Analysis Update
The Common Country Analysis (CCA) is a reflection of evolving country contexts that identifies key development challenges. The CCA is an essential tool used by the UN country team (UNCT) to ensure appropriate and focused programming that tackles the right issues in the right ways. The UNCT is implementing the Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026 (UNSDCF) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its programming, and the regular update of the CCA is a crucial part of this effort.The UNSDCF, jointly designed by the Government of Lao PDR and 25 UN agencies, funds, and programmes, aligns with national development priorities and builds on the CCA's findings. To ensure that the UN programming remains relevant and up-to-date, the CCA is reviewed annually, and the first update was released in December 2022. The update reflects new developments and highlights emerging challenges that require changes to UN programming using a simple color-coding. The CCA update was prepared by the Programme Oversight Group and endorsed by the UNCT and the Lao PDR Government.
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Publication
02 November 2022
Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 1 Vulnerable Groups
This information bulletin was jointly developed by the Macroeconomic Research Institute, LASES, and the UN in Lao PDR under the Joint Programme on “High Frequency Data” in response to the current food, energy, and financing crises. The bulletin spotlights Vulnerable Groups in the context of the financial and socio-economic challenges in Lao PDR and is the first bulletin in a series as part the Joint Programme. The second one will provide information on “Food Security and Livelihoods” and the third bulletin is on “Macroeconomic analysis of the country’s economy”.
More about the programme:
The Joint Programme was set up in the context of the rapidly depreciating value of the KIP and the rising prices for food, fuel and fertilisers which came on top of the already exacerbated financial and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The current shocks can affect a wide range of individuals in many areas ranging from employment status, education, food consumption to gender-based violence. To capture these recent manifestations and potential trends, the Joint Programme considers collected data from households and businesses across the country as well as macro-economic developments.
Until December 2022, the data collected and related analysis will be made available to interested stakeholders and distributed through three information bulletins and discussed during a multi-stakeholder workshop towards the end of the programme. The outcome of this workshop as well as the most significant findings of the three bulletins will be summarised in a final policy report. This Joint Programme is funded by the Joint SDG Fund’s Development Emergency Modality, which was set to give more than 100 UN country teams worldwide the opportunity to receive fast and flexible seed financing to support governments in understanding the current changes and needs to tackle the ongoing global food, energy, and financing crises.
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Publication
23 December 2022
Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 2 - Food Security and Livelihoods
This information bulletin was jointly developed by the Macroeconomic Research Institute, LASES, and the UN in Lao PDR under the Joint Programme on “High Frequency Data” in response to the current food, energy, and financing crises. The bulletin spotlights Vulnerable Groups in the context of the financial and socio-economic challenges in Lao PDR and is the second bulletin in a series as part the Joint Programme. The second one provides information on “Food Security and Livelihoods” and the third bulletin will be on “Macroeconomic analysis of the country’s economy”.
More about the programme:
The Joint Programme was set up in the context of the rapidly depreciating value of the KIP and the rising prices for food, fuel and fertilisers which came on top of the already exacerbated financial and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The current shocks can affect a wide range of individuals in many areas ranging from employment status, education, food consumption to gender-based violence. To capture these recent manifestations and potential trends, the Joint Programme considers collected data from households and businesses across the country as well as macro-economic developments.
Until December 2022, the data collected and related analysis will be made available to interested stakeholders and distributed through three information bulletins and discussed during a multi-stakeholder workshop towards the end of the programme. The outcome of this workshop as well as the most significant findings of the three bulletins will be summarised in a final policy report. This Joint Programme is funded by the Joint SDG Fund’s Development Emergency Modality, which was set to give more than 100 UN country teams worldwide the opportunity to receive fast and flexible seed financing to support governments in understanding the current changes and needs to tackle the ongoing global food, energy, and financing crises.
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Publication
08 May 2023
Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 3 - Macroeconomic Outlook of Lao PDR
This information bulletin was jointly developed by the Macroeconomic Research Institute, LASES, and the UN in Lao PDR under the Joint Programme on “High Frequency Data” in response to the current food, energy, and financing crises. The bulletin spotlights Vulnerable Groups in the context of the financial and socio-economic challenges in Lao PDR and is the second bulletin in a series as part the Joint Programme. The second one provides information on “Food Security and Livelihoods” and the third bulletin will be on “Macroeconomic analysis of the country’s economy”.
More about the programme:
The Joint Programme was set up in the context of the rapidly depreciating value of the KIP and the rising prices for food, fuel and fertilisers which came on top of the already exacerbated financial and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The current shocks can affect a wide range of individuals in many areas ranging from employment status, education, food consumption to gender-based violence. To capture these recent manifestations and potential trends, the Joint Programme considers collected data from households and businesses across the country as well as macro-economic developments.
Until December 2022, the data collected and related analysis will be made available to interested stakeholders and distributed through three information bulletins and discussed during a multi-stakeholder workshop towards the end of the programme. The outcome of this workshop as well as the most significant findings of the three bulletins will be summarised in a final policy report. This Joint Programme is funded by the Joint SDG Fund’s Development Emergency Modality, which was set to give more than 100 UN country teams worldwide the opportunity to receive fast and flexible seed financing to support governments in understanding the current changes and needs to tackle the ongoing global food, energy, and financing crises.
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Story
09 November 2023
Lao People’s Democratic Republic progresses towards stronger health insurance and social security system
VIENTIANE (ILO News) - The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has embarked on a landmark revision of its legal framework on health insurance and social security, on its path towards achieving universal coverage.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is supporting these efforts though its regional Luxembourg-funded project, “Building social protection floors for all: support to the extension of social health protection in Asia.”
Work is ongoing towards a milestone enactment of a revised Law on Social Security and the Law on Health Insurance in the third quarter of 2024. The aim is to establish a comprehensive, coordinated, effective and adequate social security and health insurance legal framework in the country.
Over the years, laudable progress has been made towards this objective in Lao PDR. In particular, the country’s social health protection landscape has changed dramatically over the past two decades and great strides have been made towards the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage. This has been achieved through the gradual harmonization of previously fragmented social health protection administration through the implementation of a National Health Insurance scheme. As a result, according to the Ministry of Health, 94 per cent of the population currently benefit from social health protection coverage.
“Strengthening Lao PDR's social protection system is crucial for reducing poverty, inequality, and vulnerability among its citizens. It promotes economic stability, fosters social cohesion, and ensures that individuals have access to essential healthcare and social security they need,” said ILO’s Programme Manager Marielle Phe Goursat, who is overseeing the work.
Despite the achievements to date, there are remaining challenges to overcome to ensure equitable access to health care for all citizens, without financial hardship.
Although legal coverage is high, out-of-pocket expenditures represent 49 per cent of current health expenditures, which leaves households vulnerable to the risk of catastrophic health spending due to accidents or ill health. This risk is exacerbated by an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases and population ageing.
Moreover, compliance with the contributory scheme for workers in the formal sector is a challenge, undermining the financial sustainability of the national health insurance scheme. Inequalities in access to health care facilities and doctors are also prevalent in the context of a largely rural, remote population.
In an effort to address these challenges, in May 2023, ILO shared initial recommendations on the amendments to the social security and health insurance legal framework with the Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the National Health Insurance Bureau (NHIB) of the Ministry of Health.
This was followed by the initiation of a nationwide consultation process on the revision process led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, with technical and financial support from the ILO.
As part of this process, a comprehensive legal review was implemented to support the alignment of the legislative framework with international labour standards, in line with Lao PDR’s National Social Protection Strategy Vision 2030, Goal 2025, and the National Health Insurance Strategy 2021-2025.
The review encompasses a thorough mapping of the existing national social security legal framework; and an assessment of the national legal framework to identify good practices and well-regulated areas, overlaps and conflicts, and gaps in relation to international labour standards, administration and system design.
On 21 September 2023, the findings of the review were presented during a consultative workshop bringing together stakeholders from government as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations to gather feedback on the law revision process.
The final health insurance assessment report includes key recommendations to the Government to achieve increased coverage and improved service delivery, administration, governance and fund sustainability, and a road map towards the introduction of the new draft legislations.
In parallel with the review, an actuarial analysis, research on access to social health protection for persons with disabilities, and a review of lessons learned from the implementation of Lao PDR’s Community Based Health Insurance scheme are ongoing, which will provide a further evidence base for the law revisions. The next step is the process of drafting the revised laws, with enactment anticipated in mid-2024.
“ILO will continue to collaborate closely with the Government of Lao PDR, employers and workers throughout the drafting process,” said Goursat. “The success of these efforts will benefit the lives of millions of people throughout the country.”
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is supporting these efforts though its regional Luxembourg-funded project, “Building social protection floors for all: support to the extension of social health protection in Asia.”
Work is ongoing towards a milestone enactment of a revised Law on Social Security and the Law on Health Insurance in the third quarter of 2024. The aim is to establish a comprehensive, coordinated, effective and adequate social security and health insurance legal framework in the country.
Over the years, laudable progress has been made towards this objective in Lao PDR. In particular, the country’s social health protection landscape has changed dramatically over the past two decades and great strides have been made towards the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage. This has been achieved through the gradual harmonization of previously fragmented social health protection administration through the implementation of a National Health Insurance scheme. As a result, according to the Ministry of Health, 94 per cent of the population currently benefit from social health protection coverage.
“Strengthening Lao PDR's social protection system is crucial for reducing poverty, inequality, and vulnerability among its citizens. It promotes economic stability, fosters social cohesion, and ensures that individuals have access to essential healthcare and social security they need,” said ILO’s Programme Manager Marielle Phe Goursat, who is overseeing the work.
Despite the achievements to date, there are remaining challenges to overcome to ensure equitable access to health care for all citizens, without financial hardship.
Although legal coverage is high, out-of-pocket expenditures represent 49 per cent of current health expenditures, which leaves households vulnerable to the risk of catastrophic health spending due to accidents or ill health. This risk is exacerbated by an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases and population ageing.
Moreover, compliance with the contributory scheme for workers in the formal sector is a challenge, undermining the financial sustainability of the national health insurance scheme. Inequalities in access to health care facilities and doctors are also prevalent in the context of a largely rural, remote population.
In an effort to address these challenges, in May 2023, ILO shared initial recommendations on the amendments to the social security and health insurance legal framework with the Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the National Health Insurance Bureau (NHIB) of the Ministry of Health.
This was followed by the initiation of a nationwide consultation process on the revision process led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, with technical and financial support from the ILO.
As part of this process, a comprehensive legal review was implemented to support the alignment of the legislative framework with international labour standards, in line with Lao PDR’s National Social Protection Strategy Vision 2030, Goal 2025, and the National Health Insurance Strategy 2021-2025.
The review encompasses a thorough mapping of the existing national social security legal framework; and an assessment of the national legal framework to identify good practices and well-regulated areas, overlaps and conflicts, and gaps in relation to international labour standards, administration and system design.
On 21 September 2023, the findings of the review were presented during a consultative workshop bringing together stakeholders from government as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations to gather feedback on the law revision process.
The final health insurance assessment report includes key recommendations to the Government to achieve increased coverage and improved service delivery, administration, governance and fund sustainability, and a road map towards the introduction of the new draft legislations.
In parallel with the review, an actuarial analysis, research on access to social health protection for persons with disabilities, and a review of lessons learned from the implementation of Lao PDR’s Community Based Health Insurance scheme are ongoing, which will provide a further evidence base for the law revisions. The next step is the process of drafting the revised laws, with enactment anticipated in mid-2024.
“ILO will continue to collaborate closely with the Government of Lao PDR, employers and workers throughout the drafting process,” said Goursat. “The success of these efforts will benefit the lives of millions of people throughout the country.”
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Story
10 November 2023
Just another day in the lives of the people in Xieng Khuoang
I looked at the smiling faces of school children in front of me.
They looked excited and nervous at the same time. They watched us with curiosity – a group of ‘farangs’ for whom they had been waiting to perform for.
We were at the primary school in Dong village, Paek district of Xieng Khouang province in Lao PDR. It was the first stop on our field visit. The idyllic surroundings contrasted even more sharply with the purpose of our visit. We were a team of development partners who had come to witness how unexploded ordnances (UXOs) were being cleared so that local communities could be safe.
The contradictions continue. In 2019, the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuoang province, comparable to Stonehenge, became a World Heritage site. With its hot springs and its history, the province could be a tourist magnet, much like its neighbouring province, Luang Prabang.
The programme started with teachers from UXO Laos explaining the dangers of UXOs to children.
I looked around – the children were between six and 12 years of age. There was no mincing of words. I cringed. Would I be able to tell this to my almost five-year-old in the same way? Or would I worry that I was going to traumatize him?
As I listened, I realized slowly that the learning tools – the visuals, the songs and the puppet show – made the children laugh and relax. Is the UXO a toy? No! Do you want to lose a limb? No! Do UXOs have an expiry date? No!
The school grounds itself bore telltale signs of how real UXOs were for these children. There were two large bomb craters to remind everyone every day. The risk was real and it was absolutely imperative that they knew it.
As a student of War Studies, I had studied the Indo-China wars. But nowhere in my reading had I learnt that Laos was the most bombed country per capita in the world! Is this what is called collateral damage? What an inadequate word for a war that had happened 50 years ago, for a war which is far from over for those who live the daily risk of losing their limbs, or worse, their lives.
Our next stop was the UXO clearance site. As the UXO Lao’s All Women clearance team demonstrated how they detect and detonate, I couldn’t help but think of how challenging and inter-connected development is.
The large presence of UXOs meant that there were swathes of land still unavailable for cultivation. The constant and ever-present danger meant that UXO survivors were often disabled. Together, this meant that local communities were vulnerable to food insecurity and job insecurity.
The Government of Lao PDR’s Sustainable Development Goal number 18 is Lives Safe from UXO. The road ahead is steep, but there is no doubt that it has to be climbed faster. As we are at the halfway mark to the SDGs, this is the time to redouble our efforts for the people of this special country.
The blog is written by Shairi Mathur, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, Lao PDR as part of an official mission led by the UN Development Programme with development partners to visit the UNDP project.
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Story
13 October 2023
Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework in Lao PDR: Progress and the Road Ahead
13 October 2023: Marking International Day for Disaster Reduction this year marks the mid-point in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, a global agreement designed to mitigate the impact of disasters and enhance resilience to future risks.
What is the Sendai Framework?
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 2030 aims to reduce the impact of disasters and enhance resilience to future risks. The framework outlines four priorities for action: understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and recovery.
Why Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework?
All countries are encouraged to undertake a mid-term review of the Sendai Framework. The mid-term review is an opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges and gaps and make adjustments to ensure the successful implementation of the framework. A delegate from Lao PDR participated in the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework in May 2023 in New York. Lao PDR has conducted a mid-term review of the Sendai Framework in 2023 which assesses the progress, challenges and achievements so far as identified under the four main pillars:
Understanding Disaster Risk:
Lao PDR has a data collection system and capacities to collect and analyze data at national and sub-national levels.
Investments in hydrometeorological stations have improved early warning and preparedness, especially with regard to floods.
A national climate change vulnerability assessment was conducted in 2019. Sub-national flood and drought maps are currently being prepared, and village-level disaster preparedness and response plans are being developed in some villages under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.
Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance:
Lao PDR has formulated the Disaster Management Law 2019, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2021-2030, and the Resilience Framework 2022-2025. Disaster risk reduction and climate change have been integrated into the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Capacities of disaster management committees have been strengthened and disaster response exercises are regularly implemented.
Lao PDR has prioritized the development and implementation of a sub-national disaster risk reduction strategy, with the aim of having a strategy in place by 2026. Three provinces have already developed their own disaster risk reduction strategies and action plans.
Lao PDR has emphasized the integration of anticipatory actions into disaster risk reduction plans at the sub-national level.
Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience:
Investments in infrastructure development include the construction of flood control systems, prevention of bank erosion and use of renewal energy systems. Several of these initiatives have been implemented in collaboration with international development partners with a special focus on empowering women and youth.
The country has also developed resilience-building codes and guidelines. The Government of Lao PDR launched the National Financial Protection Strategy against Disaster Risks in 2023 with the aim to strengthen the resilience.
Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and Recovery:
Lao PDR has strengthened its humanitarian logistics support and established mobile logistics centers across the country. This has facilitated timely and efficient response operations.
The country has also focused on building its capacity to organize larger-scale response operations and has improved its post-disaster recovery assessment tools.
Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future
Lao PDR is one of the 30 pilot countries under the UN Secretary General’s Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) global initiative. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027. Through this initiative, it is aimed to foster disaster risk knowledge, enhance disaster preparedness and response, improve forecasting and monitoring of early warnings, and enhance dissemination and communication of early warning information. The implementation of the EW4ALL initiative in Lao PDR is expected to contribute to all four pillars of the Sendai Framework.
The Resilience Framework 2022-2025 and the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative in Lao PDR are interconnected. The Resilience Framework offers a comprehensive approach to enhance resilience at all levels, encompassing individuals, communities, and institutions. It underscores the importance of early warning systems as a crucial element of disaster preparedness. The objective of the EW4ALL initiative is to ensure that early warning systems are accessible and effective for everyone, including marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
In a country where the Covid-19 pandemic was followed by the 4F crisis (food, fuel, fertilizer and finance), keeping the momentum on the progress made is a difficult path. This is where initiatives such as the EW4ALL are innovative, bringing together stakeholders so that efforts can be joined up and resources – both financial and technical – can be optimized. Studies around the world have proven that the cost of prevention is much lower than the cost of response and recovery. Such a long-term view for resilience investments in Lao PDR are critical, particularly as climate change is increasing the scale and frequency of disasters in the country and the region.
Lao PDR’s mid-term review of the Sendai Framework provides five broad recommendations:
First, it calls on all relevant stakeholders in disaster risk reduction to collaborate and harmonize their efforts in jointly building the capacities of government at all levels.
Second, it calls on the government to allocate budget towards early warning, preparedness and risk reduction measures so as to mitigate the impact of disasters.
Third, it calls on public-private partnerships that leverage resources, expertise and networks to facilitate comprehensive and sustainable approaches to reduce disaster risks.
Fourth, it calls for the need to disseminate risk knowledge at the sub-national levels and among the community which is often the first responder in the case of a disaster event.
Fifth, it calls for the conduct and regular updating of hazard risk assessments across the country to map existing as well as anticipate future risks for risk informed planning and development.
As the theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction Day suggests, disasters affect the poorest and the most vulnerable the most. Risk reduction is essential in our fight against poverty and inequality and in order to ensure that we leave no one behind – women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic groups, migrant workers and other vulnerable groups.
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02 October 2023
Lao PDR Advances Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Initiative through National Consultation
The national rollout of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative in Lao PDR has been commenced with a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop held on September 21, 2023, in Vientiane.
Last year, during the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres launched the early warnings for all initiative, aiming to ensure that all countries establish inclusive, multi-stakeholder early warnings systems by the end of 2027. The initiative at the global level is spearheading by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), along with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
To roll out the early warnings for all initiative in Lao PDR, the government has assigned a national focal point from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The one-day workshop, organized by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Resident Coordinator Office, and other global pillar leads, aimed to initiate a nationally owned, multi-sector, and multi-stakeholder mechanism for framing an early warnings mechanism that is contextualized to the country. The objectives of the workshop included reviewing the existing early warnings scenario in the country, validating stakeholder mapping and gap analysis, discussing the establishment of a national coordination mechanism, and initiating the formulation of a country roadmap for early warnings.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders including line ministries, United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, donors, private sectors such as hydropower companies, Lao telecom, and media. A total of 112 people participated in the workshop, including 45% women. During the workshop, participants engaged in interactive sessions, presentations, and discussions led by national and international professionals.
Mr. Chanthaneth BUALAPHA, the vice minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, emphasized the severity of disasters in the country and the importance of the early warnings for all initiative in Lao PDR. He stated, "The success of the Early Warnings for All initiative depends on the effective implementation of the 2023–2027 roadmap. I believe that the pillar-led agencies, as well as all representatives from various organizations participating in the workshop, will play a significant role in ensuring the necessary resources for the implementation early waning for all roadmap in Lao PDR."
Ms. Pia Rebello Britto, the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim for Lao PDR, highlighted that the aim of the early warnings for all initiative is not to reinvent the wheel but rather to promote collaboration and synergies, harnessing the comparative advantage of stakeholders and building upon existing programs and initiatives in the country.
As part of the initiative, Lao PDR conducted a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify key actors working in areas relevant to the pillars of the early warnings system and understand their priorities and willingness to continue working on early warnings system. In the initial stage of the mapping exercise, 38 agencies participated, with 20 of them having ongoing projects that partially contribute to the pillars of the early warnings system, and 12 agencies expressing interest in future collaboration on early warnings.
Prior to the workshop, a preliminary gap analysis was conducted under each pillar of the early warnings for all initiative. The findings of the analysis were then validated during the workshop. Discussions were held on formulating the early warnings for all roadmap for 2023-2027, and input from multi-stakeholders was received, which will be incorporated into the national early warnings for all roadmap. Additionally, a structure for the national coordination mechanism on the early warnings for all initiative was discussed and proposed during the workshop.
The Early Warnings for All multi-stakeholder consultation workshop in Lao PDR marked an important milestone and laid the foundation for developing the national early warnings for all roadmap 2023-2027.
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04 July 2023
Exploring forest certification systems, livelihoods generation and carbon finance for sustainable forestry in Lao PDR
Thakhek, June 2023: Last month, the United Nations in Lao PDR (UN) convened stakeholders from across sectors for two days in Khammouane Province, to discuss a way forward to further develop sustainable forestry in Lao PDR. The meeting was part of the Sustainable Forest Trade in the Lower Mekong Region (SFT-LMR) Initiative, in the context of broader collaborative efforts between the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the UN-REDD programme (i.e., Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries).
Forests and forestry are essential for Lao PDR, not least as forests host much of the country’s rich biodiversity. Over the past two years alone, 53 new species were discovered in Lao PDR, 45 of which are endemic. Sustainable forest management will be crucial to ensure the country’s forest cover, which is aimed to reach 70 per cent, continues to provide ecosystem services – crucial to the country’s development and well-being of its people and wildlife.
Sustainable forestry is also a key component of Lao PDR’s ambitious climate targets. The country’s latest Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 2021, reflects the national target to increase forest cover to 70 per cent of total land area by 2030. Emissions reductions from the forestry and land use sector will be critical to achieve Lao PDR’s plans for 60 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050.
While committed to climate action and environmental protection, Lao PDR also aims to leverage its natural resource endowment for public sector revenue generation, economic development and job creation – amongst others through the timber industry and forestry carbon finance. It is in this context that FAO organised a two-day tree plantation field trip and workshop, bringing together 46 participants from Government, private sector, research and academia, trade associations, and development partners, in order to better understand the challenges and discuss a way forward balancing economic and environmental goals.
Associate Professor, Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, the Deputy Director of Department of Forestry (DoF) who presided over the workshop as its chair confirms: “the natural conditions and climate of the country lends itself to a thriving tree plantations sector, which can contribute mitigating the global challenge of climate change. We also need responsible companies to bring in sustainable high-quality investments into the sector, including in the processing industry with many different high value-added sub-sectors, creating job opportunities and revenue streams.”
Visiting the sites
On the first day, participants took part in a field trip to Mekong Timber Plantations (MTP)’s tree plantations, destined to be used as raw material inputs for the company’s veneer mill. MTP’s plantation are certified against the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’s social and environmental standards.
The field trip also included a visit of MTP’s seedling nursery, and lastly of the smallholder plantations in Nano village of Hinbun district, where smallholders are planting acacia and eucalyptus to sell to companies such as MTP, after a rotation of about eight years. At MTP, out-grower contracts are signed with smallholders, which involve offers of seedlings at discounted prices – as a means to encourage ownership. At time of harvest, a first offer of sales should be made to MTP – unless the smallholders are able to find other buyers with better prices – hence ensuring relative bargaining power and an environmentally sustainable livelihood.
Looking ahead
On the second day, a workshop in Thakhek served as a multistakeholder platform to exchange views and discuss how to further develop a sustainable forestry sector. Morning sessions comprised plenary presentations to reflect the broader developments and challenges in the plantation sector: by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR on the Ministry’s vision and policies, by the European Union (EU) on its upcoming EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), by the President of the Lao Rubber Association (LRA) Dr. Bounthong Buahom on the future of Lao rubber industry, by policy expert and researcher Dr. Hilary Smith on forest plantations in Lao PDR, and by Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and FAO representatives Mr. Richard Laity and Ms. Akiko Inoguchi on forest certification systems and forest carbon finance respectively.
Afternoon sessions focused on emerging issues that interface with the plantation sector in Lao PDR, through breakout group discussions on A National Forest Certification System for Lao PDR and Forest Carbon Finance.
Leveraging expertise from Dr. Nguyen Van Bich and his experience from Vietnam, the forest certification group updated an ambitious action plan for accelerated development of a national certification system for Lao PDR over the next two years. If implemented successfully, the plan and national certification system development would enable smallholder forest plantation owners to access forest certification through a simplified process through groups of smallholders, thereby facilitating their access to new markets that demand legal and sustainable timber – including preparation for the EUDR.
In the meantime, the carbon finance group mapped public benefits and risks of tree plantations (afforestation) forest carbon projects, to consider as Lao PDR further develops its institutional arrangement and legal framework on forest carbon. Going forward, the outcomes of the carbon finance session will serve as a foundation for MAF’s development of sectoral (forestry) carbon finance guidelines, in continued collaboration with FAO and UNEP under the framework of the UN-REDD programme.
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Press Release
22 March 2024
Lao PDR-UN Cooperation Framework Steering Committee meeting 19th March 2024
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Davy Vongxay, Director General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator. Participants included representatives from key ministries, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Education and Sport, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as representatives from the UN Country Team.Director General Vongxay emphasized the importance of the Joint Steering Committee Technical Meeting among the National Focal Points and the UN Country Team in the Lao PDR serving as a mechanism to review the implementation of the annual plan of the 2022-2026 Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) that supports the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Moreover, the Meeting also laid out future direction of the cooperation between the Lao PDR and UNCT which would be in line with the National Priorities including the Lao PDR Smooth Transition Strategy for LDC Graduation (STS) in 2026.The UN Resident Coordinator emphasized “The Joint Steering Committee provides the highest level of oversight of all the work of the UN Country Team in Lao PDR, so our regular meetings and the decisions we take are key to ensuring that support provided is as effective and aligned to national priorities as possible.”The meeting presented both progress during 2023 and priorities for the coming year under each of the four strategic priorities of the Cooperation Framework: People’s Wellbeing; Inclusive Prosperity; Governance and Rule of Law; and Environment, Climate Change, and Resilience. Total programming delivered by the 25 UN agencies that are part of the Country Team in 2023 reached USD84m, with the support of a broad range of partners, and tackling a wide range of national priorities. The 2023 Annual Report will be finalized and published online by the end of March.The Joint workplans presented how the different parts of the UN system will work in more coordinated and integrated ways to address key priorities ranging from education and learning to national planning and financing, data and statistical systems, and food systems transformation.Following the SDG Summit in September 2023, the meeting also took the opportunity to reflect on the 6 key transitions identified globally as key to unlocking faster progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: food systems; energy access and affordability; digital connectivity; education; jobs and social protection; and climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Further, the Summit of the Future to be convened by UN Secretary-General in September 2024 aims to bring about an agreement to reform and reinvigorate multilateral cooperation, including for financing of the SDGs. The goals of the Summit are of high relevance to Lao PDR, and the high-level event will present an opportunity for the country’s reflections and engagement in global discourse. For more information on Resident Coordinator's Bakhodir Burkhanov remark, please see here: https://laopdr.un.org/en/264308-technical-meeting-joint-steering-committee-lao-pdr-un-sustainable-development-cooperation
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Press Release
19 January 2024
Essential contribution of Lao Migrant Workers recognized on International Migrants Day
VIENTIANE, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (ILO News) – To commemorate International Migrants Day, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly organized a celebration on 18 January 2024 at the Lao-Korea Skills Development Institute in Vientiane Capital.
The theme for the event was skills development, acknowledging the major impact that migration can have on enhancing Lao migrants’ vocational skills, as well as the need to support them in obtaining market-relevant skills upon return so that they are able to reintegrate successfully into the labour market. Broadcast on Lao Youth Radio, the celebration brought together migrant workers and key stakeholder organizations to share their experiences on reintegration in Lao PDR.
Madame Anousone Khamsingsavath, Director General of the Department of Employment, said: “This type of targeted outreach event is critically needed to help inform returning migrant workers about the vocational skills training and job matching services that are available in Lao PDR. Particularly for women returnees, we want to provide them with greater opportunities to remain in the labour market.”
The International Migrants Day event was funded through support from the Governments of Australia and Canada, and the European Union. In her opening remarks at the event, Mrs. Karla da Silva Leitzke, Governance Attaché Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR said: “Many Lao migrant workers not only make a major contribution to their households, communities and the country through financial remittances but also gain new vocational skills during their time abroad. It’s important that when they return home, there are job opportunities waiting for them to apply those skills.”
With funding from the ILO, migrant worker resource centres and civil society organizations have been providing extensive support for migrants to upskill and find new jobs upon returning home.
Mr. Robin Flint, First Secretary, Australian Embassy in Lao PDR, pointed out in his remarks that, “Recent ILO research has shown that many Lao migrant workers struggle to find employment upon return, and some end up having to migrate again. Providing access to information and services for migrants during all stages of the migration process is key to ensuring a successful migration experience."
One example is Ms. Vanny Santiphone, a 34-year-old woman from Boungsui Village in Salavan Province. Upon returning to Lao PDR, she decided to participate in a tailoring training provided by Village Focus International, where she stayed for free until she completed the course. While there, she also took part in a training on small business start-up and received information on safe migration.
After finishing the tailoring training, Vanny received an in-kind grant to buy the equipment she needed to open a shop at her home. She is now making traditional Lao skirts and mending clothes for people in her village. Although the earnings from her work are still small, Vanny is working hard to find new customers and expand the services she offers. She plans to continue to practice her tailoring skills until she can make a good living in her home village.
The United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on 18 December 1990. Since that time, the 18th of December has been established as an international day to celebrate the major contributions of migrant workers to economies and societies around the world.
Mr. Bob Paquin, Chargé d’affaires and Head of Office of the Canadian Embassy, noted that, “While this is a time to reflect on the great benefits that migration brings to Lao PDR, we also need to recommit ourselves to ensuring their rights are fully protected.”
Data from the United Nations indicates that there are currently 1.35 million Lao nationals living abroad, more than half of whom are women. Collectively, they sent home US$225 million in remittances in 2023, representing an estimated 1.6 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
Oktavianto Pasaribu, Deputy Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic, said: “In the ideal scenario, labour migration can be a “triple win” for migrant households, countries of origin and countries of destination. The ILO is committed to working hand-in-hand with the Government, social partners and civil society organizations to help ensure safe and rewarding migration experiences for all Lao migrant workers.”
The TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme is part of the International Labour Organizations worldwide efforts to increase the benefits and minimize the risks of labour migration for all migrant workers. TRIANGLE delivers technical assistance with the overall goal of maximizing the contribution of labour migration to an equitable, inclusive and stable growth in ASEAN. The programme is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Global Affairs Canada.
The Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia is an initiative of the EU and the UN, implemented by the ILO in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the overall objective of promoting regular and safe labour migration and decent work for all migrant workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors. The programme addresses the characteristics of working in the fishing and seafood processing sectors as well as the barriers and risks present during migration, which can lead to unsafe migration, decent work deficits, abuse and forced labour.
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For more information please contact:
Mr. Vongtavanh Sayavong
National Project Coordinator, TRIANGLE in ASEAN Programme
ILO Country Office for Lao PDR
Email: Sayavong@ilo.org
Mr. Benjamin Harkins
Technical Officer, Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia Programme
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Email: harkins@ilo.org
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Press Release
15 December 2023
Lao People’s Democratic Republic Launches the First-ever Migration Profile
The launch was co-chaired by Mr. Sthabandith Insisiengmai, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator Representative to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Ms. Shareen Tuladhar, IOM Chief of Mission to Lao People’s Democratic Republic. On this occasion, the representatives from line ministries, development partners, embassies, civil society organizations, and migration actors attended the event to mark the first-ever Migration Profile launch.
Migration Profile is a statistical report on migration situation of the country, compiling insights on the migratory processes, trends, and patterns against the background of existing regulatory systems, policy frameworks and international cooperation initiatives in the country. This report aims at facilitating evidence-based policymaking, policy commitments, inter-agency cooperation and promotes the mainstreaming of migration into broader policy making processes.
Under DRI’s leadership with the technical support from IOM, the development of the Migration Profile is an outcome of extensive consultation meetings, seminars engaging various relevant line ministries and stakeholders through Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group.
Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission, IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic said, “The Migration Profile supports evidence-based policymaking through the use of accurate and improved disaggregated data as well as strengthened government coordination mechanism. The report will also serve as a reference and capacity building tool to better understand the migration trends and priorities for the country.”
“This first-ever Migration Profile will also serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers, practitioners and will serve as a resource base for capturing the entire scope of migration trends in the country. This initiative has also formed a foundational basis and a framework for the country to develop such reports in the future.” added Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission, IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao People’s Democratic Republic said, “As Lao PDR takes on the Chair of the ASEAN next year, the United Nations System hopes that this report can frame and deepen the discussion on this important topic, which was already put on the table during Indonesia’s chairmanship this year.”
The report is expected to contribute towards achieving the country’s 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025 results with a particular focus on socioeconomic growth, human capital, and people’s well-being. Additionally, the study supports key strategic priorities of the Government under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026.
Sthabandith Insisiengmai, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, expressed that “Migration should be one of the Government’s priorities in the policymaking, as it contributes to socioeconomic development and poverty reduction in the country. Thus, evidence-based data on migration will be very critical to develop policies and actions to address emerging migration issues and challenges.”
Migration Profile is a flagship report and a capacity building tool developed by IOM Member States to strengthen migration management capacity. Lao People’s Democratic Republic joined IOM as the 171st Member State in June 2018. As a relatively new member, IOM assisted the Government of Lao PDR in development this first-ever national level document through the support of IOM Development Fund (IDF).
With our commitments, IOM will continue to support the country in facilitating orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people.
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For more information, please contact: Ms. Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission, IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic at Shtuladhar@iom.int
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Press Release
14 December 2023
Joint Statement by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Lao PDR committing to support the implementation of the recommendations of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 16th December 2023
On 25 May 2016, the Government of Lao PDR submitted to the Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) the initial National Report on the measures taken to implement and monitor the progress towards the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities at the country level.
On 30 September 2022, the CRPD issued Concluding Observations, namely recommendations that the Government of Lao PDR is expected to address in the following five years and implement by the next CRPD review.
In preparation of the CRPD review of Lao PDR, in 2022 the UN, in partnership with the Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA), supported Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) representatives to participate in each stage of the CRPD review cycle and action planning to address the barriers that affect them:
The UN supported 11 OPDs in Lao PDR to submit their joint alternative report to the CRPD and enabled their participation in an independent briefing for the Committee in Geneva in August 2022 This was the first-ever CSO-led report to the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies.
The UN Country Team (UNCT) submitted a joint UNCT report to the CRPD; 95 per cent of the recommendations proposed in the UNCT Joint Parallel Report, and OPDs Parallel Report, were incorporated in the CRPD Concluding Observations.
The UN supported the Lao PDR National Delegation to collect and analyze data on the situation of persons with disabilities for the constructive dialogue with the CRPD including through a series of cross-ministerial coordination meetings and a mock session led by the former CRPD Member, Mr. Monthian Buntan of Thailand.
Marking the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres statement reads, “Truly sustainable development for persons with disabilities requires a laser-like focus on their needs and rights — not only as beneficiaries, but as active contributors across social, economic and political life. This means ensuring that persons with disabilities are at every decision-making table, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
In 2023, the UN is working towards implementation of the CRPD recommendations in Lao PDR:
The UN has supported the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) to initiate seven consultations to develop a feasible and measurable CRPD National Action Plan (NAP) to implement the CRPD Concluding Observations in close partnership with OPDs.
The UN, in partnership with the Disability Service Center (DSC) and the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS), conducted a research study on employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Lao PDR.
The UN has worked with two job centers and businesses to deepen their understanding of the business case of disability-inclusive employment and strengthen their capacity to reach, employ, and retain employees with disabilities.
The UN, in partnership with DMAS, provided tailor-made job readiness training and job placement support for 52 young job-seekers with different types of disabilities.
The UN has included OPDs in the preparation process for the 5th population and housing census, in order to improve the disaggregation of disability data and the training of enumerators.
The UN has supported the drafting of a new National Inclusive Education Strategy for Lao PDR, that aims to better integrate children with disabilities in the education sector. The UN further conducted research on inclusive education and school feeding in consultation with the Inclusive Education Promotion Centre and OPDs, resulting in a regional Guidance Note.
The UN is collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to deliver a monthly disability cash transfer through the banking system to 428 households with 462 children living with disabilities to support the financial cost of caring for the child with disabilities in Xiengkhouang province. Additionally, assistive devices and technology would be provided to those in need to increase their access to social services and play.
The UN has supported the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, to establish a first-of-its-kind Counselling Room for Children with Disabilities and their Families. The facility is designed to provide essential services such as counselling, healthcare, assistive devices, and physical and mental therapy to children with disabilities and their families in Xiengkhouang and neighbouring provinces.
The UN has invested in developing an inclusive workplace and programming environment to ensure the participation and engagement of persons with disabilities. In close coordination with OPDs, the UN have developed localized disability inclusion action plans, trained staff in disability inclusion principles and practices and actively recruited persons with disabilities, providing reasonable accommodations to people of all abilities.
The UN actively participated in the Annual Disability Policy Dialogue to promote Disability Inclusion in the activities of line ministries and Development Partners across sectors, such as nutrition, governance, education, justice, economy, and protection of women and children.
The UN has enhanced its partnership network with OPDs – moving towards established agreements between local disability organizations, enshrining the principles of ‘nothing about us without us’ and advancing our joint capacities to address the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from the full enjoyment of their rights.
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Press Release
30 November 2023
Amplifying the national HIV response - let communities lead
Let’s reflect on the achievements made when communities led.
From well-organized community mobilization, the Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APL+) in Lao PDR engaged with nearly 740,000 individuals in awareness-raising campaigns in communities and on social media platforms to promote equality and stigma-free environment. This has resulted in improved access to essential services for people living HIV and populations at risk of HIV.
This instance indicates that letting communities lead builds stronger and healthier societies.
However, communities are not fully leveraged for their expertise and leadership. Community-led responses are under-recognized and under-resourced. Underfunding of community-led initiatives is leaving them struggling to continue operating and expanding into areas and populations that most need their support. This threatens losing the gains made in the national HIV response from the last decade and jeopardizes the sustained impact of the HIV programme for years to come.
Globally, funding for communities has fallen in the last 10 years from 31% in 2012 to 20% in 2021. These funding shortages, policy and regulatory hurdles, capacity constraints, crackdowns on civil society and on the human rights of marginalised communities are obstructing the progress of HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
It is in everyone’s interests to fully fund and empower community-led organisations. Removing the many obstacles they face will enable communities to exercise their role and leadership towards realizing the end of AIDS in Lao PDR.
This is why communities are at the centre of World AIDS Day commemorations this year, including in a major new UNAIDS report Let Communities Lead.
The report sets out the facts and figures that demonstrate communities’ impact and shares how progress is being driven by communities through case studies from across the world and through guest essays by nine pioneering community leaders. As the report notes, there is a need not only to recognise the contribution that communities make but also to pull down the barriers that stand in their way.
That means:
The leadership role of communities needs to be core in all HIV plans and programmes and in their formulation, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
Communities need to be fully and reliably funded to allow them to scale up their services and for workers to be properly remunerated for their contribution
And barriers to community leadership need to be removed. There must be an enabling regulatory and legal environment that allows communities the space to operate and protects human rights for all, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs and sex workers.
It has been a long-standing principle of the HIV response to bring people living with and affected by HIV to the decision-making table. Nothing About Us Without Us! Where this is being followed, progress is being made. Supporting communities in their leadership is not only the right thing to do, but also essential for advancing public health.
AIDS is far from over. In Lao PDR, it is estimated that at least one young adult becomes infected with HIV every day. 72% of total new HIV infections are among key populations and their sexual partners. Increasing proportion of new HIV infections are among men and boys; they accounted for 68% all new HIV infections in 2022. From January to October 2023, the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV was 1,757.
We need to invest more in communities to unleash the full potential of community leadership to address the gaps we still have in the national HIV response. And to sustain community-led responses, we have to encourage a sense of ownership. This motivates communities to invest in the future free of HIV through both pride in protecting themselves and their loved ones and preventing transmission to others.
Every year, the world marks World AIDS Day on December 1st. On this World AIDS Day, we call upon the government, development partners, and civil society organizations to invest in and support the role of community leadership in the national HIV response. For decades, our synergy with communities, especially people living with HIV and key populations, has strengthened the HIV response, built necessary capacities, and harnessed the power of community advocacy. None of this is possible without support – political, financial, and technical.
As we move forward in our path to end the AIDS epidemic, let us remember the journey, the milestones, and the lessons. And more importantly let’s recognize that community-led initiatives are not a supplementary effort but an integral part of the solution. We must continue to invest in promoting community-led responses to HIV that drive us closer to a world of healthy lives. By working hand in hand with communities, we can achieve a future where HIV is no longer a global threat, but a historic achievement.
The op-ed is written by Patricia Ongpin, UNAIDS Country Director for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Malaysia, Dr. Panina Phoumsavanh, Director of Center for HIV, AIDS and STI (CHAS) Phanthamith Seangpanya, Director of Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APL+).
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