The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women is accepting applications for its 16th grant cycle (2011). Proposals will be accepted from government authorities, civil society organizations and networks — including non-governmental, women’s and community-based organizations and coalitions, and operational research institutions — and UN Country Teams (in partnership with governments and civil society organizations).
 
The 2011 UN Trust Fund Call invites proposals in the following areas of action:

1. Closing the gap on the implementation of national and local laws, policies and action plans that address violence against women
2. Addressing violence against women in conflict, post-conflict and transitional settings

Applicants are invited to submit grant proposals for a minimum of US$100,000 up to a maximum of US$1 million for a period of two to three years. The application deadline is 19 January 2012. The complete Call for Proposals detailing criteria, eligibility requirements and application guidelines is available at: http://www.unwomen.org/how-we-work/un-trust-fund/application-guidelines/ or via the UN Women homepage.

UN-HABITAT and UNDP have signed a Letter of Agreement to partner in a project under the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) GoAL-WASH programme to enhance pro-poor water governance in Lao PDR. The project will be a joint programme between the two agencies and in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).

The agreement, signed in November 2011, aims to assist MPWT in preparing a National Water Supply Sector Strategy and establish a database of designs of water treatment plants of various capacities. The project is expected to strengthen the water sector through improved sector coordination and planning, as well as leading to an increase of cost-effective investments in water supply for small towns. The outcome will be an improvement in the access, quality and reliability of the water supply and sanitation services.

Read more about the programme

Photo: UN-HABITAT/Eeva Nyyssonen

H.E. Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong on Wednesday congratulated international Heads of Delegations on the successful outcome of the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2011 (RTIM).

“I would like to congratulate the participants of this year’s Round Table Implementation Meeting for their excellent contributions and cooperation to improve development efforts in Lao PDR,” said the Prime Minister. “I would also like to thank all Development Partners for their continued support to Lao PDR and their ongoing commitment to the Round Table Process.” 

During a 30-minute debriefing with the Prime Minister, 14 key development partners provided an overview of results of the RTIM, which provided what they termed a “challenging but very positive agenda over the coming year.”

In doing so, they highlighted issues of good governance, effective public financial management, environmental and natural resource management, private sector development and quality Foreign Direct Investment, and human resource development.

Read Press Release

Round Table Process Lao PDR website

Photo: Mr. Minh H. Pham, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, with H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Mr Somdy Douangdy, Minister of Planning and Investment, at the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2011. Photo credit: UNDPLaoPDR/Laophoto

Development progress in Lao PDR has been recognized by a rise in the country’s Human Development Index value (HDI) from 0.520 in 2010 to 0.524 in 2011, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global Human Development Report (HDR) 2011. Lao PDR has seen a 39 percent rise in its HDI since the first Human Development Report was published in 1990.

Critically there has also been an improvement in the inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) with Lao PDR moving up 6 places to 107 out of 134 countries covered in the report titled, Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All. However, hard-won gains in Least Developed Countries, such as Lao PDR, could be slowed or even reversed by environmental threats. These will affect the poorest people the hardest and could further widen the inequality gap in nations like Lao PDR, the report states.

Press Release (English)

Press Release (Lao)

Photo: Mr. Minh H. Pham, UNDP Resident Representative, hands over the Human Development Report 2011 to Dr. Bounthavy Sisouphantong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment. Photo Credit: UNDPLaoPDR/Toby Fricker

The first ever Human Development Media Awards in Lao PDR invites Lao journalists to submit stories based on the Human Development concept and the theme of this year's United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global Human Development Report, Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All.

Mr. Somsanouk Mixay, Vice President, Lao Journalists Association, launched the Human Development Media Awards on 15 November at a ceremony at Don Chan Palace Hotel. The event also marked the Lao PDR launch of the global Human Development Report 2011 with Mr. Minh H. Pham, UNDP Resident Representative, handing over the report to Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Read Human Development Media Awards 2011 Launch Press Release

Photo: Mr. Somsanouk Mixay, Vice President, Lao Journalists Association, launches the inaugural Human Development Media Awards. Photo Credit: UNDPLaoPDR/Toby Fricker

The Typhoon Haima Joint Damage, Losses and Needs Assessment (JDLNA) report was launched 4 November by the Government of Lao PDR. Prepared with support from the United Nations and Development Partners, the assessment was carried out in the 4 most affected provinces, Xiengkhouang, Xayaboury, Vientiane and Bolikhamxay. This was the first time that all the relevant partners working on disaster preparedness and response efforts came together in such an initiative.

The total estimated value of damages due to floods in 2011, including Typhoon Haima, amounts to 1,764,547,062,641 KIP (USD 220.6 million). Typhoon Haima struck central and northern Lao PDR on 24 and 25 June.

More than 400,000 people have been affected by flooding during the May to October rainy season. This has seriously impacted on the livelihoods of people living in 12 out of the country's 17 provinces. This year's floods were among the worst in history and according to government statistics this was the first time since 1962 that the northern province of Xiengkhouang flooded.

Read the Typhoon Haima: Joint Damage, Losses and Needs Assessement Report

Photo: A flood affected village in Bolikhamxay Province, Photo credit: UNHABITAT/Eeva Nyyssonen

More than 250 representatives from the UN, government, development partners and private sector gathered at the Lao Plaza Hotel, 24 October, to commemorate the 66th Birthday of the United Nations and 56th year of Lao – UN collaboration.

At the event the UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR, Mr. Minh Pham, praised the government for its development gains and stressed the importance of making sure that everyone benefits, “We must work harder to ensure that development gains are shared by all Lao people, the vast majority of whom continue to live and work in rural areas.” He added, “Despite the considerable progress of recent years, poverty and near poverty remain widespread, and inequalities between rural and urban areas are rising.”

The Lane Xang Cultural Group, made up of young Khaen players, trained by teachers from the National School of Dance and Music, entertained the crowd with their performance. 

Read the full speech by Mr. Minh Pham, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR

Read the Secretary-General's UN Day_message

Photo: UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Minh Pham and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith Photo Credit: UNDPLaoPDR/Toby Fricker