25 April 2023, Vientiane, Lao PDR - Today, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) convened a high-level stakeholder meeting to review the Progress of Lao PDR towards ICPD30. The ICPD30 review includes a Voluntary National Survey (VNS) and report on the progress, achievements, lessons learned, and challenges toward the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA) in Lao PDR.
The ICPD Programme of Action (PoA) is an invaluable framework guiding Member States in enhancing the quality of life and well-being of every individual and promoting human development by underscoring the relationships between development policies and
programmes, human rights, and economic and social development. It is a stepping stone to achieve the LDC graduation and the SDGs.
The VNS survey response will be shared at the Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference later in 2023. It will also inform the global review and appraisal of the implementation of the ICPD PoA during the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development in 2024.
H.E. Madame Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, said, ”This Voluntary National Survey is based on the 2013 Asia and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action in the Asia and Pacific Region.”
“This review is being carried out as done in 2018, with a focus on qualitative data in 12 priority areas: 1. National coordination mechanism for implementation. 2. Eradication of poverty and development. 3. Public health. 4. Sexual and reproductive health and rights. 5. Education. 6. Gender equality and women's empowerment. 7. Adolescent and youth. 8. The elderly. 9. Migration between countries. 10. Urbanization and domestic migration. 11. Population and sustainable development. 12. Numerical information and statistics with technical and financial support from UNFPA.”
Mariam A. Khan, UNFPA Representative, said, “The ICPD30 review is a platform for governments to assess the population development and revisit the effectiveness of policies and practices in light of challenges and lessons learned toward the implementation of the ICPD PoA. The review will facilitate innovative solutions for human capital investments ”
“This review is timely for Lao PDR, as the findings will feed into the Mid-Term Review of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), supporting the Government in the adoption of strategic solutions aligned to the demographic context ”
UNFPA continues to provide strategic support to the government and the people of Laos in achieving the ICPD and sustainable development goals and also provides technical support for the completion of the review process and necessary support to prepare the national delegation to the 7th Asia Pacific Population Conference in November 2023.
The ICPD30 review including the Voluntary National Survey was carried out in Lao PDR under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, through the UNFPA technical and financial support and in close collaboration and consultation with relevant line ministries and key organisations.
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UNFPA, the U.N.'s sexual and reproductive health agency, works in over 150 countries, including Lao PDR, to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet family planning needs, and zero gender-based violence.
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