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Statement by Ambassador Anouparb VONGNORKEO, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations at the ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment 2023, Session 5: Boosting tailored UNDS response to diverse country contexts

Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Mr. Vice President,

I wish to thank all distinguished panelists for their insightful presentations.

As we continue to encounter multiple challenges resulted by the pandemic combined with financial difficulties, food and energy crises, and armed conflicts, groups of countries in special situations in particular, are most likely facing even greater and more severe consequences. All this has not only undermined their ability to sustain development progress but also pose a serious threat to revert the decade-long outcome.

At this critical juncture, the UN Development system must play essential role in assisting groups of countries in special situations, which I would like to highlight as follows:

First, the adoption of the Doha Program of Action for LDCs (DPoA) marks an important milestone for the international community to help the LDCs to better recover from the Pandemic, build resilience against future shock, eradicate extreme poverty and achieve graduation targets. It is vital to redouble the efforts to ensure effective and timely implementation of the Doha Program of Action by fulfilling commitments contained therein. To ensure the smooth transition and prepare for graduation, the Lao PDR has developed Smooth Transition Strategy with the objective to deliver a smooth, quality, and sustainable graduation.

Second, the strong resident coordinator system and leadership is essential especially by focusing on the specific national development needs and priorities through more focused and tailored support. In this regard, we call for the RC system to pay particular attention to the five urgent areas identified by UN Secretary General for the UN country team to deliver as one.

Third, to scale up implementation of the SDGs, it is more crucial than ever for all UN agencies and international financial institutions to act together in a more coordinated manner to ensure means of implementation and financing for development to meet the 2030 Agenda as well as to find most appropriate solutions to the most pressing needs and challenges including sufficient funding for resident coordinator system.

Let me conclude by reaffirming Lao PDR’s firm commitment to continue working closely with all partners and we count on the continued support from UN development system so no one is left behind.

Thank You.