Vientiane, Lao PDR – 1 October 2025: The Ministry of Finance convened the 2nd National Conference on Population and Development (NCPD) in Vientiane to accelerate the country’s vision of harnessing the demographic dividend. The event brought together government leaders, provincial authorities, mass organizations, development partners, UN agencies, and representatives from Cambodia and Viet Nam to advance the implementation of the National Population and Development Policy 2019-2030 and its Demographic Dividend Roadmap 2025-2030.

Held under the theme “Educate, Employ, Empower and Engage”, the conference reaffirmed Lao PDR’s commitment to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Demographic Dividend Roadmap provides a strategic framework to leverage the country’s youthful population – nearly 60 per cent under the age of 25 – as an engine for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR, H.E. Prof. Dr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, underlined the country’s determination to transform its demographic potential into tangible benefits for the nation:

The Demographic Dividend Roadmap positions young people at the centre of national development. The outcomes of this conference will guide the Government and its partners in implementing the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, ensuring that population dynamics and human capital drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Minister of Finance, H.E. Mr. Santiphab Phomvihane, highlighted that youth are central to Lao PDR’s progress, particularly through innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development. He noted that creating an enabling environment – through quality education, decent employment, and supportive policies – will determine whether the demographic transition becomes a dividend for the nation, stating:

To benefit from the demographic dividend, we need to empower young people. Once they are healthy and skilled, they will not only improve their own lives but also make significant contributions to national development. Development partners and the private sector are crucial allies in this effort.

As part of South–South cooperation, delegates from Cambodia and Viet Nam shared experiences in translating the ICPD Programme of Action into policy and practice, underscoring the importance of regional learning to overcome shared challenges.

While Lao PDR has made notable progress in reducing maternal mortality, expanding access to rights-based family planning, and addressing gender-based violence, challenges remain. The country continues to record the highest adolescent pregnancy and child marriage rates in ASEAN, and many young people migrate in search of jobs abroad. Economic difficulties are also constraining investments in health and education, critical pillars for realizing the demographic dividend.

To navigate the complex future ahead, we have to look beyond national borders. Stronger collaboration through ASEAN and the Mekong Subregion is essential to advancing our shared priorities – ranging from economic integration and climate resilience to digital transformation, mobility, and public health. Only through regional cooperation can we ensure that change and development benefit all, driving us toward collective progress, said Mr. Pio Smith, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. 

Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator in Lao PDR, stressed the importance of joint action:

The second NCPD provides a vital platform to reaffirm our collective mission. The United Nations Country Team, together with the broader development community, stands ready to support the Government in advancing this agenda through strong partnerships, robust data and evidence, and investments in youth. By working together, breaking down silos, and engaging across sectors and generations, we can turn this unique opportunity into sustained progress and prosperity for all.

The conference generated clear commitments and pathways forward. It reinforced dialogue, partnerships, and coordination as central to realizing the Demographic Dividend Roadmap and advancing unfinished ICPD priorities. Stakeholders identified pathways and resources to support Lao PDR’s smooth graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The discussions also generated evidence-based demographic insights to inform the forthcoming 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030). In addition, participants committed to strengthening South–South and triangular cooperation, with a focus on advocacy for ICPD, innovation, digitalization, and building demographic resilience within ASEAN.