On October 02, 2025, the International Finance and Cooperation Department (IFCD), Ministry of Finance (MOF) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Lao PDR, organized a consultation meeting to review the Draft Vientiane Declaration III (VD III). The meeting was chaired by H.E. Soulivath Souvannachoumkham, Deputy Minister of Finance, and co-chaired by Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for the Lao PDR. A total of 51 representatives (including 20 women) from various development partners participated in the meeting, which was held at the UN House in the Lao PDR.The objective of the meeting was to consult and gather ideas for refining the Draft Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation Phase III for the period 2026–2035. This draft draws on lessons learned from the implementation of the Vientiane Declaration on Aid Effectiveness Phase I (2006–2015) and the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation Phase II (2016–2025). It also considers the complex challenges the nation is currently facing, such as economic and financial difficulties. The Vientiane Declaration III will focus on six core principles:

1. Country Ownership and Leadership,
2. Quality and Inclusive Development Partnership,
3. Results-Based Planning and Implementation,
4. Transparency and Mutual Accountability,
5. Predictability and Harmonization,
6. Capacity Development for Sustainability.

In addition, the meeting included an in-depth discussion on eight key issues:

1. Ambitious Reform Agenda,
2. Focus on Human Capital Development,
3. Commitment to Addressing Poverty and Inequality,
4. Engagement of Civil Society and the Private Sector,
5. Enhancing Transparency and Accountability,
6. Resource Mobilization as a Key Pillar,
7. Reorganization of Sector Working Groups (SWGs),
8. Alignment with National Development Goals.

The meeting successfully compiled the opinions and future cooperation directions from all development partners. This information is crucial for preparing the Final Draft Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation Phase III (2026–2035), VDCAP III. The Declaration is scheduled to be one of the key documents to be endorsed and signed at the High-Level Round Table Meeting, which is set to take place on November 19, 2025.

 

Documentation:
The full meeting report and related documents are available for download at:

Final Version, Press Release Eng of VD III Meeting date 02 Oct 2025

ບົດອອກຂ່າວກອງປະຊຸມ VDCAP [lao]

For more information:
Contact: Mr. Santi Songnavong
Director of International Organization Division
International Finance and Cooperation Department, Ministry of Finance
Tel: +856 20 2222 3989
Email: songnavong@gmail.com/rtpsecretariat@gmail.com