Mr. President,

Mr. Administrator,

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

1. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representative of Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China and Nepal on behalf of the LDCs Group, and I would like to add the following in my national capacity.

2. The Lao PDR wishes to express our appreciation to the UNDP Administrator for his leadership and to UNDP for its continued support to Member States in advancing sustainable development amid an increasingly complex global environment. The Lao PDR values UNDP’s important contribution to poverty reduction, governance, climate resilience, environmental protection and disaster risk reduction, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, among others.

3. For the Lao PDR, UNDP remains a trusted and longstanding development partner. We particularly value its strong country presence, responsiveness to national priorities, and ability to connect global expertise with national needs and translate international commitments into tangible results on the ground. 

4. We welcome the new Country Programme Document (CPD) for the Lao PDR for 2027–2031 to be considered by the Executive Board this afternoon, which reflects our national development priorities and is aligned with the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, the LDC Smooth Transition Strategy, and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2027–2031. The CPD responds to our particular development context, including the opportunities associated with our progress towards graduation from LDC status, while addressing persistent challenges such as fiscal constraints, poverty reduction, climate vulnerabilities, limited access to services, and the legacy of unexploded ordnance.

5. My delegation also wishes to underscore the importance of country ownership. As the UN development system continues to evolve, reforms should strengthen effectiveness coherence and coordination while preserving the flexibility of programme countries to shape and prioritize the support they receive.

6. We further emphasize the importance of predictable, flexible and adequate financing for UNDP, particularly for programme countries facing structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space. Continued support and contribution to core and multi-year resources will be essential for UNDP to maintain its operational capacity and deliver effectively at country level.

7. In conclusion, the Lao PDR reaffirms its continued support for UNDP and looks forward to further strengthening our partnership in pursuit of sustainable, inclusive and resilient development, with the shared objective of ensuring that no one is left behind.

I thank you