Mr. Chair,

1. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Iraq, Thailand, Nepal, and Bolivia, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, ASEAN, LDCs, and LLDCs, respectively, and wishes to add the following remarks in our national capacity.
2. We take note of the Secretary-General’s report on the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA). While some progress has been achieved, overall LDCs’ economic growth remains below targets. Accelerated implementation requires comprehensive measures, including the full operationalization of the five key DPoA deliverables.
3. We call on development and trading partners, together with the UN system, to ensure continued and tailored support for graduating and recently graduated countries through smooth transition measures. This should prevent abrupt cuts to ODA, LDC-specific trade preferences, special and differential treatment, Aid for Trade, and other forms of assistance.
4. We welcome the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) from the Third UN Conference on LLDCs, which represents a crucial framework for addressing the unique and persistent challenges faced by LLDCs. It is essential for LLDCs to leverage the APoA as a strategic instrument to accelerate sustainable development and foster deeper integration into global trade and value chains.
5. Investment in efficient transport corridors remains vital to overcoming these constraints, thus establishing an infrastructure investment financing facility is essential for mobilizing resources, fostering innovation, and strengthening regional cooperation and connectivity. Equally important is advancing transit and trade facilitation, including the creation of a high-level panel on freedom of transit to address the persistent barriers LLDCs encounter in global trade.

Mr. Chair,

7. Amid current challenges, funding remains a core obstacle for the UN development system, which must adapt to both present and future needs. We reaffirm support for the UN80 Initiative and expect the repositioning process to deliver tangible benefits.
8. We call on development partners to provide timely, predictable, and sustainable resources and UN entities to enhance coordination and align support with national priorities to strengthen ownership. Meanwhile, the UNDS must improve efficiency, coherence, and responsiveness through full implementation of the QCPR, ensuring catalytic support, reducing duplication, and maintaining flexibility across diverse contexts.
9. We underscore the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation as complementary to North-South commitments. These forms of cooperation advance partnerships, knowledge-sharing, technology, and financing, and we encourage UN entities to fully operationalize related mandates.

Mr. Chair,

10. I wish to conclude by reaffirming the Lao PDR’s determination to pursue the path of sustainable development and our readiness to work closely with all partners and UN entities to achieve our shared development goals.

Thank you.