23 May 2025, Vientiane, Lao PDR – The Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and UN-Habitat convened the 2024 Annual Review Meeting to assess progress under the Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) 2022–2026 and to jointly define strategic priorities for the year ahead. Co-chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and UN-Habitat, the meeting brought together over 60 participants, including representatives from key ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), and Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), as well as provincial and district authorities and development partners.
The meeting served as a platform to reflect on achievements, share lessons learned, and reaffirm the shared commitment to inclusive, climate-resilient urban development. In her opening remarks, H.E. Mme. Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of MPI, emphasized the alignment between UN-Habitat’s strategic interventions and national development priorities. She highlighted that the initiatives presented, ranging from strengthening local adaptation and embedding resilience in town planning to enhancing institutional capacity at the sub-national level, are directly in line with the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Participants reviewed key accomplishments over the past year, including the implementation of small-scale water supply systems in 189 climate-stressed villages, the introduction of local-level action planning tools to support climate integration, and the enhancement of local government capacities through training and workshops. The meeting also acknowledged the strengthening of stakeholder engagement platforms, notably the annual Lao National Urban Forum (LNUF) as a dialog platform and website of UN-Habitat Lao PDR as knowledge sharing platform, which continues to serve as a critical space for dialogue and collaboration.
Looking ahead, the 2025 workplan will prioritize advancing sub-national climate adaptation planning, organizing the 4th Lao National Urban Forum to promote inclusive urban dialogue, and supporting climate-resilient housing and infrastructure in communities most at risk. These priorities reflect a continued focus on building adaptive capacity and fostering integrated, locally driven development solutions.
Dr. Avi Sarkar, Regional Advisor for South-East Asia and Head of UN-Habitat Lao PDR, noted that the past few years have been both dynamic and rewarding, with the programme expanding to address a wide range of areas including inclusive urbanization, climate change adaptation, urban basic services, housing, disaster resilience, and institutional strengthening. He underscored the importance of maintaining momentum and deepening partnerships to ensure sustainable impact.
Contributions from various ministries further reinforced the value of inter-agency collaboration and the need for sustained coordination across all levels of government. These ministries expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with UN-Habitat and reiterated their commitment to supporting its continued implementation.
The meeting concluded with a shared recognition that inclusivity, participation, and long-term institutional capacity are essential to achieving the goals of the HCPD which supports the development of Lao PDR. Stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing a development agenda that is responsive to local needs, resilient to climate challenges, and aligned with national and global frameworks.
