Mr. President,

Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government and the people of Antigua and Barbuda for their exceptional organization of this important Conference and the warm hospitality extended to us. We join other delegates in expressing our deepest condolences to the Government of Papua New Guinea for their tragic loss caused by a natural disaster.

Mr. President,

Lao PDR aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Botswana and Nepal on behalf of the LLDCs and LDCs, respectively.

Being a country in special situations, the Lao PDR shares common challenges faced by SIDS. Moreover, our groups of countries have been hardest hit by the impacts of the compounding and intersecting crises ranging from pandemics and climate change to conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and other unpredictable external shocks. The unique context of SIDS, characterized by structural vulnerabilities, geographical isolation, lack of alternative energy sources, and the devastating impacts of increasingly frequent and intense climate disasters, resonates deeply with our experiences.

In this context, the adoption of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) marks a significant milestone. It embodies the international community's unwavering commitment to addressing the multidimensional vulnerabilities and challenges facing SIDS, ensuring the successful implementation of the new Program of Action and the continued pursuit of the SDGs.

Like other vulnerable countries, the Lao PDR remains gravely concerned about the relentless and devastating impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and natural hazards that the groups of countries in special situations face. We call upon the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the effective and timely implementation of all programs of action including the newly adopted ABAS by fulfilling the commitments enshrined therein. Enhanced access to climate finance and climate adaptation mechanisms is urgently needed for countries in special situations in transition from vulnerability to resilience and prosperity, ensuring that no country is left behind. In this connection, we urge international financial institutions to reform their current financing mechanisms and adopt more accessible and sustainable financing for the development of the groups of countries in special situations namely, LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS based on their actual needs.   

Mr. President,

In this era of development, the Lao PDR emphasizes the critical role of digital technologies and innovation in bridging development gaps, particularly for developing countries and those in special situations. The commitment to areas such as data for development, upskilling, and digital capacity-building remains essential as we aspire to further elevate our collective ambition in these domains. In addition, we reiterate that regional organizations play a pivotal role in facilitating global digital cooperation. They are instrumental in fostering capacity-building, pioneering frameworks and guidelines, and sharing experiences and best practices.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, I reaffirm the Lao PDR’s firm support for the objectives of the SIDS4 Conference. We join our SIDS friends in calling upon development partners, multilateral stakeholders, the UN development system, international financial institutions, and the entire global community to stand with the groups of countries in special situations, providing robust and enhanced support to bring the programs of actions including ABAS into concrete action.

Thank you.