A historic achievement in disarmament, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, will enter into force on 1 August 2010. The treaty provides a legal framework for ending cluster munitions’ unacceptable harm to civilians, many of whom live in developing countries. Thirty-seven states have so far ratified the convention, and 107 countries are signatories.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons. It calls for the destruction of stockpiles within eight years of accession, and clearance of contaminated land within 10 years. The convention also responds to the suffering of civilians with a series of specific, measurable and gender-sensitive victims’ assistance obligations. Read more

Statement by the Secretary-General on the entry-into-force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions 

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

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

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

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

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)