Lao PDR

Press release, 26 April 2010

One Door Service Centre: improving public service delivery in Sekong

From today onwards, using public services in the Sekong province will be easier for the citizens. People will be able to step into the new One Door Service Center (ODS), opened 26 April, which enables them to find information and receive services in one place, instead of many different offices with varying practices. The new system is built from the perspective of the user, trying to make the everyday lives of people easier.

One Door Service Center provides clear standards, transparency and efficiency to various public services. Registering of domestic investments, like small shops, or managing land and vehicle ownerships is much easier with the new service, providing clear and standard forms, all available at the ODS Center.

“While implementing an administrative reform it is also important to explain and discuss the underlying objectives which are not only to provide services more effectively and in a more transparent manner: at the end of the day all these reforms have a common goal which is to make the Province and Laos a better for place for its citizens to live in an to reduce poverty”, noted Mr. Dirk Wagener, Deputy Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP in his remarks at the opening of the Center.

The Center shows in practice, how effective the ODS mechanism is for improving public services. The ODS mechanism ensures timeliness, transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency in providing services that resonate with peoples’ need.

Opening One Door Service Centers is only one element of the UNDP-supported project that focuses on strengthening capacity for strategic planning, financing and management as well as monitoring of governance reform. One of the key outputs of the project is to support demand-driven governance reforms at central and local levels which directly impact on service delivery.

The ODS concept has been adopted by the Lao Government as a useful tool, which is being expanded throughout the country. The ODS Center in the Sekong province was opened in the presence of H.E. Mr. Phonephet Kiewlavong, Vice-Governor of Sekong; Dr. Khammoune Viphongxay, Vice-Chair of PACSA (Public Administration and Civil Service Authority) and other distinguished guests.

Notes for editors:

For more information please contact
Inka Leisma, UNDP Public Information Unit Tel: (021) 267 777 ext: 751, E-mail: inka.leisma@undp.org

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.