Mr. Chairman,

1. At the outset, my delegation wishes to join other speakers in congratulating you and other members of the bureau on your election to this Committee of the 77^th Session and assure you of our full support and cooperation.
2. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Viet Nam and Pakistan on behalf of the ASEAN and G77 and China respectively.

Mr. Chairman,

3. We are at a critical juncture when the international community is facing multifaceted global challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, severe impact of climate change, economic and financial setbacks, to food and energy insecurity, which have posed major concerns for the international community and reverted development gains. Groups of countries in special situations, with limited capacity and resources, are struggling to cope with numerous external shocks and sustainable recovery from the pandemic remains an uphill task. Attaining agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development as well as ensuring basic and fundamental rights for all, especially the rights to adequate food and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, decent housing, equal access to education and healthcare service, have also been hampered.
4. Despite significant efforts made by the international community during the past decade to maintain global solidarity in overcoming the various obstacles and promote social development, poverty gap is now widening and inclusive social and economic development has encountered multiple challenges. Therefore, it is more crucial than ever for the international community to find more effective and transformative solutions in order to overcome the existing global difficulties and leave no one behind.

Mr. Chairman,

5. Like other countries, Lao PDR is also facing severe consequences caused by natural calamities such as heavy storms and widespread floodings, which have destroyed vast agricultural areas and basic infrastructure such as local roads, making access to schools and healthcare dispensaries extremely difficult. Addressing climate change and long-term environmental protection have been top priorities for the government in the national planning process. On the implementation side, relevant ministries and provincial authorities have been coordinating through institutional mechanism by working closely with muti-stakeholders in responding and providing emergency relief assistance to the affected communities and the most vulnerable people, especially women, children, elderly people and persons with disabilities. In this context, the Lao PDR appreciates the support and assistance provided by various UN agencies, INGOs, and other stakeholders during this difficult time. 

Mr. Chairman,

6. The Lao PDR welcomes the Secretary-General’s recommendation reflected in his report on Our Common Agenda to support the work of a renewal of social contract to rebuild trust and social cohesion, including strengthen global governance towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
7. At national level, the Lao PDR is currently implementing Five-Year Social Economic Development Plan, National Strategy 2025 and Vision 2030 with priorities given to inclusive social development and poverty eradication. In this connection, we remain committed to transforming education sector as one of the top priorities for social development with an emphasis on improving Human Asset Index, one of the key thresholds for LDC graduation. Under the National Strategy, education sector has undergone extensive reform, with a view to improving national standards and making education accessible for all. In public health, the government has exerted its utmost efforts to provide free vaccination for all under the national vaccination scheme, a pilot project to provide free medical care at central hospitals for elderly people and marginalized groups, promote family planning and scaling up nutrition for mothers and children, free medical treatment for women in pregnancy and children under the age of five.
8. To protect and promote the right of persons with disabilities, as a party to the CRPD since 2008, the Lao government has been striving to support and eliminate poverty amongst persons with disabilities. In this regard, a number of laws, legislations and National Plan of Action for 2030 related to persons with disabilities have been amended and adopted. On this note, we welcome the outcomes and recommendations of the meeting between Experts of the Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Lao delegation held in Geneva, earlier in August this year.

Mr. Chairman,

9. Despite the progress made, many challenges remain to be addressed, especially in narrowing development gab between rural and urban areas, poverty eradication, disaster preparedness and responses, technological transfer and digital connectivity, and improving human asset index. I wish to reaffirm the Lao PDR’s commitment to implementing inclusive social policy and reliable social protection for all. We stand ready to work closely with UN agencies, international financial institutions and other stakeholders for the well-being of our people.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman