Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. On behalf of the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, I extend our sincere appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this important High-Lev el Meeting. We welcome this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the New Urban Agenda and to share Lao PDR's progress and priorities as we look towards 2036.
Excellencies,
2. A decade ago, Lao PDR was still predominantly rural. Today, our urban population is growing at nearly three times the na tional population growth rate, placing sustainable urbanization at the centre of our national development agenda. We recognise that well-managed urbanization is not only a re sponse to demographic change, but also a powerful driver of economic growth, resilience and improved quality of life. This commitment was demonstrated by Lao PDR becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to submit its National Report on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in 2023.
3. Guided by our National Socio-Economic Development Plans and the Five-Year Development Plans of the Ministry of Pub lic Works and Transport, we have made important progress over the past decade.
4. Access to safe water now reaches almost all of our urban pop ulation, while more than ninety per cent of households have access to adequate and affordable housing. We have integrated 2 climate resilience into urban planning, promoted nature-based solutions to reduce flood risks, strengthened decentralised ur ban governance, and advanced digital planning through our National Smart City Strategy and Urban Planning Information System.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. Looking ahead, Lao PDR will focus on three priorities.
- First, we will strengthen integrated and climate-informed and data-driven urban planning through our "One City, One Plan" approach, ensuring balanced territorial development and re silient infrastructure.
- Second, we will expand innovative financing by strengthening public-private partnerships, blended finance and regional co operation to scale sustainable urban investments.
- Third, we will improve housing, basic services, sustainable mobility and resilient urban infrastructure, especially in rapid ly growing and secondary cities.
6. Across all these priorities, we remain committed to ensuring that women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and ethnic communities are fully included, leaving no one be hind.
Excellencies,
7. Lao PDR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the New Urban Agenda and stands ready to continue working with all Member States to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustain able cities and human settlements for present and future gen erations.
Thank you.
