Lao PDR and United Nations Celebrate 70 Years of Partnership

at the UN House in Vientiane. The celebration reaffirmed the lasting partnership between the Government and the UN, with a focus on SDG acceleration, the Pact for the Future, and youth engagement.

H.E. Dr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, was the Guest of Honour, joined by senior government officials, Ambassadors, Heads of UN Agencies, youth representatives, and civil society and development partners.

The event opened with the launch of “The UN at Country Level – A Practical Guide to the United Nations Operational System”, co-hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Embassy of Switzerland. Speaking alongside the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Jean-Gabriel Duss, Regional Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), presented the guide, emphasizing its role in clarifying how the UN operates in countries, supporting governments, and fostering effective partnerships. The guide forms part of Switzerland’s “UN Red Books Collection,” translating complex UN processes into practical tools for governments and partners.

The commemoration featured a series of showcases of UN’s history in Lao PDR and joint initiatives shaping the current UN—Lao PDR Cooperation Framework. A symbolic UN House “Tree of Growth”, narrated by UNDP Resident Representative Martine Therer, placed the preserved wood from a spirit tree lost in a 2024 storm side-by-side with a recently replanted tree, a testament to resilience, renewal and the enduring roots of Lao–UN cooperation.

The Prime Minister was then guided through an exhibition of “70 Years of Partnership for People, Planet and Progress” by UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov. Each exhibit showcased a story of UN partnerships and results, told by youth representatives, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health programs led by UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF; UXO clearance by UNDP; social protection and youth employment initiatives by ILO, IOM and UNV; the Van Mai Coffee tasting by UNODC; and work on food systems and nutrition by WFP, FAO and IFAD. Each stop connected past achievements to ongoing national efforts to advance the SDGs and accelerate development outcomes.

A screening of the short film “Lao UN70: Our Shared Story” showcased the history of Lao–UN cooperation, alongside young people sharing their vision for the next decade. 

Addressing the guests, the UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the seven decades of partnership and the UN’s role in supporting Lao PDR’s development journey, including institution-building, poverty reduction, and preparation for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. He stressed that youth will be central in shaping the next chapter of innovation, inclusion, and climate action.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and emphasized the importance of youth engagement, noting that the LaoUN70 logo, designed by a young Lao artist and launched earlier this year, exemplifies the creativity and leadership of the country’s next generation.

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the Lao UN70 commemorative postage stamps, which incorporate the LaoUN70 logo. The stamps symbolize unity, continuity and a shared commitment to a peaceful and inclusive future. The formal programme concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony featuring the LaoUN70 and UN@80 insignia, followed by informal discussions and networking.

The commemoration took place at a historic moment, as the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2025 and Lao PDR advances toward LDC graduation in its SDG journey. It highlighted the UN’s sustained partnership with Lao PDR over seven decades, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to inclusive, youth-driven and forward-looking development.