The Government of Lao PDR and UNDP organized a Special Event on Cluster Munitions on 18 February 2010 in Vientiane. Opening remarks were given by His Excellency Mr. Phongsavath Boupha, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator.

The Special Event was organized under historic circumstances, with 30 countries ratifying the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The convention will enter into force on 01 August 2010 [Read more]

Speech on Special Event on Convention on Cluster Munitions Advance Mission for the First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) to the CCM by UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana English

UNDP and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare inaugurate new project

On Thursday 14 January Mr. Laoly Faiphengyoa, Vice-Minister of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, and Ms. Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, signed and formally initiated a UNDP-supported project to assist the institutional strengthening and capacity development on disaster risk management in this country.  The ‘Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development on Disaster Risk Management in Lao PDR’ Project  has a budget close to US$1 million, and is the first ever fully-fledged UNDP project in support of disaster risk management capacity development in the Lao PDR.  As Ms. Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, highlighted, “Today marks the beginning of a very timely and comprehensive initiative to meet the needs of the Government and people of Laos in disaster risk mitigation and for more effective responses and coordination.“ [Read more]

(Photo from Vientiane Times)

UNDP-supported Khoun Community Radio for Development participated in the recent Mekong Media Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current situation of community radio and its potential for being ‘radio for the people, by the people' in Lao PDR was the highlight of a satellite session held on 10 December 2009 at Forum. The session, with the theme ‘Empowering Local People Through Community Radio', was hosted by UNDP/ Khoun Community Radio together with the Ministry of Information and Culture and Xieng Khouang Province Department of Information and Culture. [Video on Youtube]

The current situation of community radio and its potential for being ‘radio for the people, by the people’ in Lao PDR will be the highlight of a satellite session to be held Dec. 10, 2009 at the Mekong Media Forum, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The session, with the theme ‘Empowering Local People Through Community Radio’, is being hosted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Laos, together with the Ministry of Information and Culture of Laos and Xiengkhouang Province Department of Information and Culture. [read more]

Round Table Meeting 2009 Opening remarks by Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

Round Table Meeting 2009 Clossinging remarks by Sonam Yangchen Rana, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative

Vientiane;  22.10.09 - The Government of the Lao PDR and the United Nations today launched a flash appeal to the international community for funds to assist recovery for the southern provinces devastated by Typhoon Ketsana after it struck southern Laos on the 29th September. To support the Government’s relief actions, the humanitarian community is seeking $10,153,872 to address the immediate needs of an estimated 178,000 people who lost homes, livelihoods or other property in the devastation. Read more

This year on 16 October, World Food Day, the UN in partnership with the Government of the Lao PDR is highlighting the challenge of Achieving food security in times of crisis .

World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October are combined in one event at the National Cultural Hall, as food security and nutrition contribute to the eradication of poverty and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Food insecurity and malnutrition are both outcomes and causes of poverty, as hunger perpetuates poverty and hunger makes people more vulnerable to diseases. Chronically malnourished children cannot develop their physical and intellectual potential and this affects their chances throughout the rest of their life.

It is widely recognized in Lao PDR that good nutrition and food security are central to development and poverty reduction, and the new National Nutrition Policy highlights the commitment of the government to ensure that all Lao citizens can claim their fundamental right to be free from hunger.

The following week is designated as Poverty Eradication Week, with a series of events taking place in Vientiane.

On October the 14 th 2009, experts from around the region shared experiences and knowledge with the Government of the Lao PDR during a national workshop on Managing Climate, Environment and Natural Resources to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Exit Least-Developed Country (LDC) status, supported by the UNDP/UNEP Poverty Environment Initiative (PEI).

he challenges confronting Lao PDR related to the environment and climate change are diverse and will significantly impact the achievement of the Government goals to exit LDC status by 2020. For this reason, it is of critical importance that these issues be considered in more detail, ensuring that lessons and knowledge from around the region are shared with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and reflected upon in the 7th Plan. Read more

On 25 September 2009, the Government of the Lao PDR deposited the instrument of ratification of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York. 
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Lao PDR together commended the Government of the Lao PDR for taking this vital step towards combating the devastating effects of corruption. Read more