Lao PDR

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative of Lao PDR Mme Sonam Yangchen Rana and H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs after signing the National MDG Compact for Lao PDR. Photo: UN Lao PDR/Laophoto

21 October, Vientiane – the Government of Lao PDR, the United Nations and Development Partners signed a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Compact in support of the full achievement of the MDGs in Laos by 2015. It also calls for an additional goal to eliminate all UXOs from priority agricultural land over the next ten years.

H.E. Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh opened the 10th High Level Round Table Meeting by providing a comprehensive statement on the future direction of Lao PDR based on peace and security, economic growth with equity and environmental sustainability, achievement of the MDGs by 2015 and graduation from its Least Developed Country status by 2020.

“The real test of the renewed MDG consensus evident at last month's summit in New York is in events such as this one, in countries around the world," said Helen Clark, who gave the keynote address at the Round Table. "It is here that partners decide to work together - to end fragmentation - and use these next five years to rally behind national priorities to achieve the Goals,” she said.

The High Level Round Table provided a platform for the Government to showcase its 7th five year National Development Strategy and discuss with development partners its key features. The main topic of discussion focussed on ‘growth with equity’ – the theme of the Round Table and included:

• Transforming natural resource based economic growth into human skills and capacities based sources of growth;

• Ensuring equity in the development process, so that the poor, marginalized and vulnerable are able to participate in and benefit from development;

• Raising and channelling sufficient levels of financing to the social sectors to secure the MDGs for Laos by 2015;

• Attracting a higher quality of foreign direct investment that delivers skills and technologies to the Lao workforce whilst ensuring environmental sustainability;

• Prioritising key infrastructure investments to support national connectivity and regional integration.

• Strengthening Government institutions and capacities to improve public services.

Helen Clark, Chair of the United Nations Development Group and UNDP Administrator giving her keynote speech at the Round Table Meeting. Photo: UN Lao PDR/Laophoto

In his closing remarks to the High Level Round Table, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Chair of the Meeting stated ”We are grateful to all development partners for confirming their full support and for signing the MDG Compact.”

Meeting Co-Chair, Mr. Ajay Chhibber, Chair of the United Nations Development Group for the Asia Pacific Region reiterated a strong statement of support to the Lao Government “Laos is at a very critical stage in the final stretch to the MDGs, and needs the fullest support from the development partners”, he concluded.

Heads of Delegation to the Round Table met with H.E. President Choummaly Sayasone early Thursday morning to present the overall outcomes of the High Level Round Table Meeting. The President praised the efforts of both the Government and the United Nations in holding the High Level Meeting at such an important time for Laos and commended Development Partners for their dependable co-operation for the long-term benefit of Lao PDR and its people.

Keynote speech by Madame Helen Clark, Chair of UN Development Group and UNDP Administrator

For more information please contact:

Government of Lao PDR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith +856 20 2206363 sal.kommasith@gmail.com

UNDP Lao PDR: Mr. Ian Holland +856 20 5555 5773. ian.holland@undp.org

UNDP Bangkok: Ms. Cherie Hart +66 8 1 918 1564, Cherie.hart@undp.org