Laos and development partners mobilised US$630 million to support the National Socio-economic Development Plan (NSEDP) last year, helping the country progress towards its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The announcement was made to about 30 participants from ministries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the Retreat on the Round Table Process, held in Vientiane on January 12.
“This round table meeting was arranged to brainstorm an action plan for 2012, focusing on implementation of NSEDP and MDG targets for which we will need help from international organisations,” said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Somchith Inthamith at the meeting.
A prime ministerial decree has also agreed to increase the number of government consultant groups, from the various ministries, in the Round Table Process from eight to ten in a bid to attract more donors.
Laos’ MDGs are to eradicate poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; develop a global partnership for development; and reduce the impact of unexploded ordnance in accordance with the national plan for the UXO sector – The Safe Path Forward II.
The aim of development activities is to support the implementation of the NSEDP and achieve the MDGs, explained Deputy Director of the United Nations System Division of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Mr Arounyadeth Pasphone.
The Round Table group provides a forum for dialogue and coordination between the government and development partners.
“We’re promoting cooperation between the sectors concerned through joint policy making and priority setting, domestic and external resource mobilisation, result-oriented management and monitoring of progress and achievements,” he added.
In addition, the group aims put into practice sector-related actions and targets outlined in the Vientiane Declaration and the related Country Action Plan.
Director of the United Nations System Division of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Mr Morakot Vongxay, said lessons learned from the 2011 road map should be used as a basis for 2012 before broadening the scope.
The main focus of the 2012 brainstorming meeting is to put together an action plan and a monitoring mechanism to present to the 2012 implementation meeting at the end of this month. The plan should include all issues that need to be followed up from 2011, Mr Morakot said.
The 2012 Round Table Implementation Meeting at the end of the month will be the last before the 2013 brainstorming meeting which will take place after the mid-term review of the 7th NSEDP in 2013.
Source: Vientiane Times
By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update January 13, 2012)
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