Vientiane Capital, 28/06/2018 – At a “Meet the Press” event at the reception hall of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Government through MPI and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the Annual Round Table Meeting under the theme “Mid-Term Review of the implementation of the 8^th NSEDP – Progress in Sustainable Development and Effective Development Cooperation” to take place in Vientiane Capital at the end of November 2018.

The meeting will report on key progress made in terms of the mid-term review of the 8^th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), integration and localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on Lao PDR’s first National SDG Voluntary Review presented at the High-Level Political Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in July 2018, results of the Least Developed Country (LDC) review in March 2018, and the implementation of the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation and its Country Action Plan (VDCAP). In addition, the meeting will also identify concrete actions, particularly on financing for development and capacity development to address key challenges for the remained period of the 8^th NSEDP and potential main topics for the formulation of the 9^th NSEDP (2021-2025).

At today’s event, H.E. Dr. Kikeo Chanthaboury, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, said: “The Round Table Process is an important forum that brings together government officials and the development community including all stakeholders concerned at both central and provincial level in order to take stock of recent implementation and share related issues. This aims to create mutual understanding and commitment toward the NSEDP achievement while promoting the national ownership.”

Additionally, H.E. Deputy Minister also reiterated that “2018 is an important year for Lao PDR as it is not only the year promoted as ‘Visit Laos’ year but also includes important milestones such as: mid-term review of the 8^th NSEDP, LDC review, preparation of the SDG Voluntary National Review.”

Ms. Kaarina Immonen, UN Resident Coordinator / UNDP Resident Representative  said: “UNDP, as co-chair of the Round Table Process, is convinced that maintaining such regular dialogue is an excellent investment, as we keep strengthening partnerships and jointly move towards our common objective of supporting Lao PDR’s sustainable development – in particular addressing the needs of those most left behind”.

Reading the press release in Lao Language here

Contacts:

Mr. Morakot Vongxay, Head of International Organizations Division, Department of International Cooperation/MPI, Tel: +856 21 222 214, Mobile: +856 20 2244 8892, Email: k_vongxay@hotmail.com

Mr. Phanthanavong Phouthavong, Senior Programme Coordinator, Department of International Cooperation/MPI, Tel: +856 21 223 759, Mobile: +856 20 2223 3638, Email: phanthanavongp@gmail.com