United Nations Birthday Celebrated
Lao PDR joined the global community to celebrate the United Nations Day on 24 October 2006. More than 300 people hailing from the various line Ministries of the Government, Diplomats, Dignitaries, UN heads of Agencies, Civil Society Organizations and Staff all mingled at the UN Day celebrations.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated the UN for fulfilling its duties including promoting development cooperation stating “ The UN has made significant contributions to the implementation of the Lao national socio-economic development plan as well as the Round Table Process for resource mobilization.” He continued “In the spirit of close cooperation between the Lao Government and the UN country team, we have finalized the United Nations Development Assistance Framework between Lao PDR and the UN system for the period from 2007-2011.” Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith also commended the outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on his 10-year tenure and wished his successor, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon great success.
Ms. Olivia Yamb i, UN Resident Coordinator, a.i, said the UN's Birthday is not only an occasion to reflect on past successes but also to renew its commitment to working towards eradicating poverty and improving health and education for all, included within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “One of our key instruments in tackling the challenges laid forth in the MDGs is our United Nations Development Assistance Framework – or UNDAF – which represents our integrated five-year plan at the country level.
“The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) is a strategic framework and five-year plan for the UN system in Lao developed in partnership with the government. It focuses on five key areas: poverty, food security and livelihoods, education, health, HIV and AIDS and governance. Ms. Yambi continued that “The UN system…see these [UNDAF focus areas] as critical to achieving national goals and the MDGs.”
At the United Nations ceremony, awards were also presented to Lao researchers for their analysis of development issues. The UN Development Research Award 2006 was awarded to Mr. Malabou Baylatry from the National University of Lao, for his essay on the benefits of non-formal education in community learning centers.
In presenting the award, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Ms. Setsuko Yamazaki congratulated Mr. Malabou on his efforts and said that this year's UN Development Research Award attracted 38 entries of very high quality and that the voluntary review panel had a tough time selecting one winner. She thanked the panel members for their valuable time and dedication. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Malabou noted that he was very pleased to be able to contribute his ideas on development in the Lao PDR.
The event also gave prizes to five young contestants who had answered the UN Quiz published in the newspapers over the past few weeks.
The UN is another year older, but as Ms. Yambi noted “ The best birthday gift to our organization is to continue working together to translate our leaders' and the UN's commitments, into concrete action for the benefit of all citizens of the Lao PDR.”
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Lao PDR
