Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. At the outset, I wish to align my statement with those delivered by the distinguished representatives of Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, Nepal on behalf of the LDCs, respectively.

2. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic commends the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation for its vital role in promoting and facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation at all levels. Its efforts have been instrumental in strengthening partnerships among Member States, UN agencies, and development partners particularly in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. We welcome the reports of the Secretary-General, which offer a comprehensive review of system-wide progress, identify the persistent challenges, and outline strategic directions for deepening South-South cooperation. These documents underscore the importance of integrating South-South modalities into the policies, strategies, and programming of all UN entities, in line with their respective mandates.

Mr. President,

4. Lao PDR attaches great importance to South-South and triangular cooperation as a key complement to traditional North-South cooperation not a replacement. It is a demonstration of solidarity among developing countries, built on shared experiences, mutual benefit, and respect for national sovereignty.

5. South-South cooperation has made tangible contributions to the implementation of Lao PDR’s national socio-economic development plans, our green growth strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the exchange of knowledge, technology, and capacity-building, we have been able to better balance economic progress with environmental protection ensuring that development is both inclusive and sustainable.

6. Furthermore, we believe that the frameworks under review at this session including the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, the New Directions Strategy, the Nairobi Outcome Document, and BAPA+40 remain crucial to guiding and strengthening our collective actions. These documents reaffirm the principles of equality, solidarity, and demand-driven cooperation that are central to South-South cooperation.

Mr. President,

7. In conclusion, Lao PDR reiterates its firm commitment to intensifying South-South and triangular cooperation. These partnerships are not only vehicles for development but also powerful tools for building resilience, reducing inequality, and fostering a spirit of mutual growth among countries of the Global South.

I thank you.