Vientiane, Lao PDR (13 May 2024) —The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and United Nations and UNDP today, convened a 2024 Retreat on Round Table Process  from Line Ministries and Development Partners which is Chaired by Mme. Sisomboun OUNAVONG Director General of  Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment and Co-Chaired by Ms. Martine THERER, UNDP Resident Representative to Lao PDR with participants of Director General from line ministries, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affair, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Natural Resources, representatives from Embassies and Head of International Organization and CSO. It is the first meeting of all Secretariat of SWGs to discuss and consult each other on matters relating to effective development cooperation and how the work of SWGs contributes to the overall development agenda of the country. This meeting is also an opportunity for all 10 SWGs to share a common understanding about the upcoming Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) which will be tentatively organized in November 2024 and will bring together representatives from the Government, Development Partner, the private sector, and civil society to reflect on Effective Development Cooperation in light of Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan (VDCAP) and SWG reviews.

Mme. Sisomboun OUNAVONG stated that it is an opportunity that Line Ministries and Development Partners who responsible for  SWGs will collectively hear more from and brief each other on great important work of all sector working group and sub-sector working groups in light of the reviews of SWGs. The Co-Chair of the meeting, Ms. Martine echoed what the Director General highlighted and stressed the importance of a sharp priority on making the best use of all the development resources including ODA since new challenges when countries around the world are grappling with rapidly rising costs of everyday essentials and the economic and financial difficulty that the country is facing are known by all of us, and thus today we take the time to reflect on the lessons we have all learn from the past year and reviews of what working well under SWGs, areas that have been raised as potentially benefitting from strengthening, and ideas on possible ways ahead.

During the meeting, the Department of International Cooperation/Ministry of Planning and Investment under the leadership of Madam. Sisomboune Ounavong, Director General provided key presentations on the results of the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan and Sector Working Group reviews. Then, the floor was opened for plenary discussion for all participants. A key takeaway highlight from today’s meeting is the importance of the work of SWGs and its better link with the Round Table and Implementation Meetings under the framework of the Round Table Process.

Near the end of the meeting, the chair and co-chair expressed their appreciation to all participants and development partners for joining the meeting. Ms. Martine, a co-chair, proposed a practical roadmap through a consultative process on how to update the Secretariat of SWGs. This includes convening a task force from government representatives, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to formulate a detailed proposal to come up with any changes for more effective cooperation of this group. Mme. Sisomboun, the chair of the meeting acknowledges useful suggestions from development partners and all participants in order to make better improvements in the work implementation of SWGs and will systematically report the results of today’s meeting to the high-level leaders and the Lao government for consideration and policies adjustment for effective implementation of the NSEDP and other agendas.