08 November 2007
Development future discussed over Round Table
Government officials and United Nations agencies gathered in Vientiane today to discuss the development future of the Lao PDR at a Round Table Implementation Meeting in Vientiane .
The RTIM was held to review progress and emerging issues since the 9 th Round Table Meeting held on November 9 last year.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, highlighted the achievements made in the year since the last RTM, noted the challenges ahead and expressed enthusiasm for a variety of emerging opportunities.
“None of these goals can be achieved overnight. The task is hard and the aims may appear to be ambitious, but the political will is these and our society is united and motivated to achieve the country's targets,” H.E. Mr Bouphavanh said.
“As we pragmatically measure the challenges still ahead, we are determined to do more and better in facing the challenges and overcoming the constraints.”
UN Resident Coordinator Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana stressed the need for a coordinated effort by the development community and the government to eradicate poverty.
“Throughout today and in the coming year, we have to seriously explore how Lao PDR's robust economic growth can be much more equitably shared especially with rural areas where the vast majority of Lao people still live and work,” Ms Rana said.
The morning session featured progress reports on the implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), Lao PDR's framework for eradicating poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and a review of the national budget.
The afternoon session featured presentations on the progress of the Vientiane Declaration on Aid Effectiveness as well as the Sector Working Groups, a series of thematic discussion forums bringing together representatives from government and development partners to discuss and build consensus about development priorities.
There was also a discussion of emerging issues such as the future direction of natural resource-based growth and the Lao Business Forum.
The issue of natural resource-based growth and globalization was the subject of a presentation by Nobel prize-winning Joseph Stiglitz during a UNDP-organized visit to Lao PDR last week when he advised the government of the opportunities and potential risks .
Dr Stiglitz also urged developing countries not to rush into trade agreements that were not fair to them as this had the potential to further hold back their development.
Most developing countries that have set their hopes on natural resource-driven growth have suffered serious setbacks through unforeseen risks and impacts.
Dr Stiglitz, whose visit was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shared his knowledge of natural resource-based growth and globalization with the Government.
The Round Table Process is a mechanism established by UNDP and lead by the government to coordinate the use of foreign aid in the Lao PDR and accelerate the development process.
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Lao PDR
