Laos and UNFPA Celebrate 50 Years of Partnership in Health and Development

Laos and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) celebrated five decades of cooperation in advancing sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, youth empowerment, gender equality, population data systems, and national development at a ceremony in Vientiane. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, senior government officials, ambassadors, representatives from United Nations agencies, international organizations, and civil society partners. In his keynote address, Thongsavanh highlighted the progress achieved through the partnership, particularly in population management, education, and public health, which has supported the implementation of Laos' national development priorities, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He reaffirmed the government's commitment to reducing the maternal mortality ratio to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. As Laos undergoes an important demographic transition, he emphasized the need to invest in education, healthcare, skills development, and youth empowerment to harness the country's demographic potential and support its long-term development objectives, including graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Lao PDR, underscored the importance of people-centered development and highlighted UNFPA's support in strengthening national policies, improving coordination mechanisms, integrating demographic trends into development planning, and implementing the country's fully digital Population and Housing Census. He said the census provides critical data to guide policymaking, resource allocation, and the formulation of the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, helping ensure that no one is left behind. Mr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative to the Lao PDR, said the anniversary was not only an opportunity to celebrate past achievements but also to renew the partnership's commitment to addressing remaining development challenges and building a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable future. The long-standing cooperation between Laos and UNFPA underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing the nation's challenges and improving the living standards of its citizens. Investment in health, education, and youth empowerment is crucial for Laos as it navigates its demographic transition and aims to graduate from LDC status.