LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

NATIONAL ROUND TABLE PROCESS

The 2022 RTIM under the Theme of Accelerating the Implementation of the 9th NSEDP (Achievements of 2022 and Plans for 2023), SDGs, and Achieving LDC Graduation

Vientiane, Lao PDR (26 January 2023) — The 2022 Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) was held on 26 January 2023 at the National Convention Centre. This year, the RTIM 2022 met under the theme of Accelerating the implementation of the 9th NSEDP (achievements of 2022 and plans for 2023), SDGs, and achieving LDC graduation”.

Opened by H.E. Mr. Khamjane Vongphosy, Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment, and co-chaired by Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator to Lao PDR, the dialogue of the meeting focused on five critical topics (1) implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) in 2022 and plans for 2023. (2) the Financing Strategy to support the implementation of the 9th NSEDP, (3) the Lao PDR Resilience Framework, (4) the shaping of the LDC Smooth Transition Strategy, and (5) the review of an effective Development Cooperation in light of the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan 2016-2025 and Sector Working Groups review.

The RTIM brought together nearly 250 participants—among them counterparts from central and 17 provincial Planning and Investment Departments, Vice-Ministers of line ministries, representatives of the National Assembly, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector through the online and in-person meetings—for constructive discussions on achieving effective development cooperation in support of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and successful graduation from the Least Developed Country category.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Khamjane Vongphosy stated that “Organizing RTIM annually is valuable to Lao PDR. This year, the RTIM 2022 opened the opportunity for all of us to have a discussion on the achievement of the implementation of the 9th five-year NSEDP for 2022 and plan for 2023, the Financing Strategy to support the 9th NSEDP implementation, the Resilience Framework, LDC Graduation and the options to strengthen Effective Development Cooperation”. The Minister reiterated that the implementation of development cooperation, according to the mechanism of the Round Table Process from the previous years including the Sector Working Groups and the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan, has supported the implementation of the 9th five-year NSEDP, the two national agendas of the government, the 2030 development agenda and the various international obligations that the Lao PDR is party to.

Ms. Sara Sekkenes, UN Resident Coordinator noted that Now more than ever, given the many challenges that we face, Lao PDRs development partners need to find ways to work together more effectively to support a sustainable and inclusive development path. The Roundtable Process offers us an invaluable platform to help achieve this, and with the substantive discussions that have taken place on financing for development, recovery and resilience, and preparations for LDC graduation, has shown the value of this as a forum for coordination and exchange.”

About the Round Table Process:  The Roundtable Process (RTP) in Lao PDR is the key national framework to bring together Government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to work together more effectively. Currently taking place every five years, High-Level Round Table Meetings provide inclusive forums to support the design and implementation of the countrys national development plans. Round Table Implementation Meetings (RTIMs) are held every year to take stock of progress made in the past year and set joint priorities for the coming year. The ten Sector Working Groups are the key coordination platforms for each thematic area of development in Lao PDRs Round Table Process. They are led by the Government and include development partners, civil society organizations, and representatives from the private sector. The groups serve as discussion forums, aim to build consensus on development priorities, and make development cooperation more effective, as set out in the Vientiane Declaration of 2015.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Planning and Investment together with heads of development partners will present the outcome of the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2022 to the Prime Minister of Lao PDR for further guidance on the effective implementation of the 9th NSEDP and the 2030 Agenda.

With financial support from USAID, the RTIM 2022 was organized with technical support from the UNDP and UN Resident Coordinators Office.

For more information, please contact

Mr. Santi Songnavong
Acting Head of the International Organization Division, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Tel: +85620 22 223 989    Email: songnavong@gmail.com