Lao PDR

Democratic Governance

UNDP support for democratic governance

UNDP works to ensure that better laws are written and implemented; civil servants are more knowledgeable and responsive in delivering services; revenue collection is more efficient; gender and rights issues are integrated into development planning, and Lao PDR is able to take its place more strongly in the regional and world economies.

Current Projects in Governance

Parliamentary development

UNDP has been a long-standing partner of the Lao PDR National Assembly, providing assistance to help the Assembly to carry out its legislative, oversight and representative functions effectively. The current programme [2004-2007] continues to work with the Assembly to: improve understanding and skills needed for legislative drafting; capacity for government oversight, including budget review; facilitation of better public consultations; capacity of legislators - especially members elected to the 6th legislature (2006) - and staff; facilitating a review of national policy frameworks, and improving gender equality and the advancement of women.  

Justice and Human Rights

The Lao PDR government is working towards becoming a "rule of law" state. UNDP's programme has focused on developing the legal sector by helping key legal institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Office of the Public Prosecutor and the People's Supreme Court. UNDP also works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate improved understanding and implementation of Lao PDR' international obligations, including participation in human rights legal instruments. Based on a comprehensive Legal Sector evaluation in 2003, UNDP is now working with the government to help develop a long-term Legal Sector Master Plan (2020), with attention to continuing capacity development, law enforcement coordination, and judicial strengthening. An important initiative that will be expanded in 2006 is to further strengthen the Lao Bar Association and its capacity to provide legal aid to the poor, and to address linkages between the formal and traditional justice systems in Lao PDR [2004-2006].    

Decentralization, local governance and rural development

UNDP's flagship Governance and Public Administration Reform (GPAR) programme is helping parts of the Lao civil service to become more efficient and better able to deliver services to the poor. It assists the government in developing basic policy and legal systems, as well as develop essential skills needed by those in key central agencies and ministries, including the Prime Minister's Office. The programme works in Vientiane [2006-2009], Luang Prabang [2006-2009], Saravane [2005-2009], Xieng Khouang, Khammouane [2005-2006] and is expanding to other provinces through co-operation with UNV, UNCDF and other development partners. Overall, the programme helps government institutions by developing human resources, financial (revenue and expenditure) management, and effective use of information technology with a special focus on reaching remote and impoverished communities. 

Peoples' Participation

UNDP is currently supporting two innovative pilot projects in the area of peoples' participation.  The Government-Civil Society Partnerships project has been implemented since 2006, in response to a request from government for assistance in drafting a legal framework to allow the establishment of Lao not-for-profit organizations.  The Decree on Associations was signed by the Prime Minister on 29 April 2009.  UNDP is now working in partnership with the Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA) to formulate a new programme of support which will focus on implementation of the decree and complementary support to civil society in their engagement with government.

Khoun Community Radio for Development, implemented by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Xiengkhouang Province Department of Information and Culture, supports Laos ' first community radio station.  The station has been on air since October 2007, and is community-led, operated by volunteers, and responsive to local Khoun District information needs.  The station broadcasts in three local languages (Lao Loum, Khmu and Hmong), and gives communities a voice through direct participation in the radio and community newsmaking.  UNDP is currently considering ways to build on the success of this pilot in a new project phase.