Lao PDR

A new UNDP report, based on evidence from 50 countries, including Lao PDR , concludes that the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved and highlights an eight-point action agenda to accelerate and sustain development progress over the next five years. With the September 20 th to 22 nd MDG special review Summit in New York approaching, the report, titled ‘ What Will It Take To Achieve The Millennium Development Goals? An International Assessment,' is part of a concrete action agenda that will form the outcome for World Leaders.

At the June 17 th launch of the report in New York, Helen Clark, the UNDP Administrator, expressed hope that, “the evidence of tried and tested policies, and this agenda for accelerating the pace of success, informs a positive outcome at the world leaders su mmit on the MDGs in September”.

The eight- point action agenda includes, supporting nationally-owned and participatory development; pro-poor, job-rich inclusive growth including the private sector; government investments in social services like health and education; expanding opportunities for women and girls; access to low carbon energy; domestic resource mobilization; and delivery on Official Development Assistance commitments.

The Assessment also focuses on the links between many of the MDGs and the importance of a cross-sectoral approach to respond to these. The UN family in Lao PDR has been working in close partnership with the government to address such cross-cutting issues, particularly in the key areas of malnutrition, maternal health and environmental sustainability. In the 2008 Government of Lao PDR and UN progress report, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the importance of a cross-sectoral approach to these key issues, ‘the scale of child malnutrition in Lao PDR, could, in the long term, compromise the progress made on the second, third, fourth and fifth MDGs', she said.

The International Assessment argues that real progress on the MDG's can only be made through, ‘country-led development and effective government', and that this is at the root of achieving the MDGs. National capacity to ‘ determine priorities, implement policies and mobilise resources', is also essential if the MDGs are to be met. UNDP in Lao PDR has been working with the government in strengthening national capacities through its support to the Round Table process, in facilitating high-level forums between government and development partners, and in its support to the National Assembly, which has recently assembled for its 9 th Ordinary Session. The UN Country Team in Lao PDR works closely with the government across all aspects of development and recently held its In Country Road Map Workshop to begin the preparations for the United Nations Development Assistant Framework UNDAF for the years 2011 to 2015. This is the UN's collective response to the government's national development priorities as outlined in the 7 th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, NSEDP.

The UNDP International Assessment states that to ensure progress over the next five years the focus will need to be on continuing proven strategies, policies and interventions and that there must be a radical break from those that do not work. If this range of tried and tested policies is followed then achieving the MDGs is possible, the report argues, and backed by strong global partnerships the MDGs can be achieved. The Lao PDR will play an even greater role in this partnership when the country is showcased at the MDG Summit in September.

“For the many people living in poverty, the Millennium Development Goals are not abstract and aspirational targets; they offer a means to a better life, and overall a more just and peaceful world,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark at the launch.

For more information, please read

- MDGs Assesment Report

- Press Release on the MDGs can be achieved

Photo: UNDP