After four and a half years service with the UN in Lao PDR over 200 representatives from the Government, diplomatic corps, UN and development partners gathered to wish Sonam Yangchen Rana well as she leaves to take up a new post in India.

Ms. Rana spoke about the unimaginable transformation of the country that she’s witnessed since 2006 and the challenges that remain, “The infrastructure – cars and buildings – and large scale investments with so many Banks and overall affluence that we see on the one hand and the marginalization and growing inequalities on the other hand.”

She thanked all those who have supported the UN for their commitment to improving the lives of the Lao people and in the goal of achieving the MDGs, “investments in MDGs are an investment in the Lao people,” she said. 

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Ms Kyoko Yokosuka, the new UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, spoke about Ms Rana’s commitment, “to the MDGs, poverty eradication and women’s empowerment.” She told those gathered that Ms Rana would be remembered for her, “total commitment to serve the poor, disadvantaged and the vulnerable as the single most important mission.” 

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