Hundreds of people gathered together in Vientiane on Sunday morning, 1 August, to celebrate the entry into force of the historic Convention on Cluster  Munitions. The celebration took place at the International Cooperation and Training Center (ICTC).

"The Convention on Cluster Munitions is a humanitarian instrument that protects human being. Therefore, this convention has gained a broader support from many countries worldwide. To date, 107 countries signed and 37 states ratified", said H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister continued emphasizing the importance of the upcoming First Meeting of States Parties, to be organised 9-12 November in Vientiane."This Meeting is extremely crucial for the implementation of the Oslo Convention, as it will determine directions and adopt practical measures including mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention." Read more

Watch a video on cluster munitions

Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator 

Remarks by H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs 

The 4th National Human Development Report on employment and livelihoods was launched by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UNDP Resident Representative and H.E Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister. Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Phoutsavong Phatsouda

On 28 July 2010 the Government of Lao PDR (Department of Statistics) and UNDP released the National Human Development report on the theme of Employment and Livelihoods. The report provides a set of recommendations on how to improve the human development in Lao PDR through employment. This is the fourth in a series of national reports.

At the launch, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, Resident Representative of the UNDP and Vice-Minister Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong both emphasized the importance of this report. “The theme of this report could not be more relevant or timely to the development of Lao PDR today. The Government is formulating the next National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011 to 2015 and central to the achievement of the economic and social targets set out in the Plan for the next 5 years will be the issue of labour”, said Ms Yangchen Rana in her opening remarks. Read more

Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana

MPI and UNFPA prepare workshop and essay competition

More than 140 countries worldwide will observe World Population Day around 11 July by emphasizing the importance of data for development. In this regard, the Department of International Cooperation of the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, are preparing the first World Population Day Workshop to be held in Vientiane on July 23 at the International Cooperation and Training Center (ICTC). The event is addressed to university and college students, teachers, researchers, experts and wider public.

The workshop is an academic forum expected to promote the World Population Day and its 2010 theme: “Everyone Counts”. This year World Population Day highlights the importance of data for development. The focus is on the 2010 round of the population and housing census, data analysis for development and UNFPA’s lead role in population and development. Read more

Remarks_Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana,UN Resident Coordinator

France signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo on 3 December 2008, and was the twentieth country to ratify the Convention on 25 September 2009. After the ratification, France has been setting out to implement the Oslo Convention by adopting corresponding national legislation and making efforts to achieve wide international support for the Convention. Read more (in English) , (in Lao)

Opening Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana

The UXO Problem in the Lao PDR

Opening remarks by Mr Serge Verniau, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in the Lao PDR (English)

Opening remarks by Mr Serge Verniau, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in the Lao PDR (Lao)

To celebrate the annual World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, the United Nations Volunteers Programme in Lao PDR invited all UN staff to donate blood at UN house. The Lao Red Cross generously supplied personnel and equipment to make this event possible. The day was dedicated to all those, who through their generosity, save thousands of lives everyday across the globe by voluntarily giving blood.  Read more

Opening Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator 

 

Remarks by Mr. Dirk Wagener, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative a.i. for the United Nations in the Lao PDR (PDF)