Mr. Chair,

It is my honor to represent the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic at the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development.

The Lao PDR reaffirms its strong commitment to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Adapting to population dynamics and advancing sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and women’s empowerment remain central to our national development vision and are fully integrated into our national policies, strategies, and the new 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Mr. Chair,

Since the 57th and 58th sessions of the Commission on Population and Development, the Government of Lao PDR has taken important steps to accelerate the implementation of its ICPD Programme of Action and SDG commitments.

In response to rapid demographic transition, alongside ongoing digitalization, we have developed the country’s first-ever Demographic Dividend Roadmap, a multisectoral framework guiding scaled-up investments in young people’s education, employment, empowerment, and health, including sexual and reproductive health, to fully realize the potential of this generation.

To ensure coordinated implementation across sectors, the Government has established a National Population and Development Committee at a high level, bringing together key sectors, including health, education, gender equality, employment, and investment, to guide and harmonize action.

We have also successfully conducted, in close cooperation with Government, UNFPA and other Development Partners, our first-ever fully digital Population and Housing Census in 2025. This milestone will strengthen evidence-based policymaking and advance our digital transformation agenda, including the development of integrated digital data systems, among others.

The Government has drafted the National Action Plans on Violence Against Women and Gender Equality, aligned with the ICPD Programme of Action, as well as CEDAW and UPR recommendations.

In addition, the new National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Strategy for 2026–2030 and the Midwifery Action Plan for 2025–2035 to ensure quality maternal and newborn health services, represent important national milestones.

These are just a few examples of the significant progress achieved since the previous CPD sessions in 2024-2025.

Mr. Chair,

Building on these achievements, the outcomes of the Second National Conference on Population and Development, reflected in the “Call for Action”, comprising nine strategic priority areas and 25 actions, provide a clear and actionable roadmap for the years ahead as follows:

• Empowering young people through expanded youth-friendly services, comprehensive sexuality education, and skills development aligned with labour market needs.
• Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including strengthened midwifery services and sustainable financing for family planning.
• Preventing and responding to gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and adolescent pregnancy.
• Transforming social norms and promoting inclusion, especially for women, adolescents, persons with disabilities, and ethnic groups.
• Strengthening data systems and strategic foresight, including the full utilization of census data and improved civil registration and vital statistics.
• Advancing digital transformation, with investments in digital public infrastructure while ensuring safeguards for equity and privacy.
• Integrating climate resilience with gender equality and sexual and reproductive health, recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and vulnerable populations.
• Mobilizing sustainable and innovative financing, including engagement with the private sector.
• Enhancing regional cooperation, particularly within ASEAN and the Mekong subregion.

Mr. Chair,

This year also marks 50 years of partnership between the Lao PDR and UNFPA.

Over five decades since UNFPA established its presence in the Lao PDR in 1976, this collaboration has significantly advanced sexual and reproductive health and rights, including expanding access to family planning, strengthening data systems, and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

We express our sincere appreciation for this long-standing and trusted partnership with UNFPA.

In this respect, we also note the importance of UNFPA’s continued support in the years ahead, especially in its normative and country-based operational roles in sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and data for development and statistics.

Mr. Chair,

The Lao PDR remains firmly committed to ending preventable maternal deaths, addressing unmet need for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Accelerating progress will require strengthened partnerships, harnessing digital transformation to improve access to services and monitor sustainable development progress, increased investment in the context of LDC graduation, and continued international support.

Together, we can ensure that every individual can realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as their full potential and aspirations in this digital era.  

I thank you.