Chair,

1. The Lao PDR aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, ASEAN, LDCs, and LLDCs, and wishes to add the following remarks in our national capacity.

2. The implementation of the New Urban Agenda can contribute significantly to strengthening productive capacities, connectivity, resilience and inclusive development, particularly for countries in special situations.

3. In the context of the Lao PDR, urban population is growing at nearly three times the national population growth rate, placing sustainable urbanization increasingly at the center of our development agenda.

4. We have made progress in expanding access to safe water, adequate and affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure and advanced digital planning through our National Smart City Strategy and Urban Planning Information System.

Chair,

5. As the Lao PDR prepares to graduate from the LDC status this November, we remain committed to ensuring that this important milestone translates into a smooth, sustainable and irreversible transition.

6. In this connection, we underscore the need for continued and tailored international support, including for graduating and recently graduated LDCs. Smooth transition measures should help ease abrupt reductions in ODA and phasing out of LDC-specific trade preferences, special and differential treatment, and other forms of development assistance important to sustaining development gains.

7. Taking stock of the Secretary-General’s report, we note that implementing the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs still requires accelerated action. We highly expect that its Midterm Review in 2027 will provide an opportunity for renewed political commitment and galvanize comprehensive and coordinated measures towards the full and effective implementation of the DPoA and its key deliverables.

8. On another note, we also reaffirm the role of the ambitious Awaza Programme of Action in addressing challenges faced by LLDCs. In particular for the Lao PDR, resilient infrastructure, efficient transport and economic corridors are reinforcing priorities. They are central to our vision of transforming from a landlocked to a land-linked country and strengthening our integration into regional and global value chains.

To conclude, Chair,

9. I wish to reaffirm the Lao PDR’s determination to advance the implementation of the relevant Programmes of Action as well as other development agendas. We look forward to working with all partners in this endeavor.

Thank you.