Vientiane, 28 Nov 2014 – The Ministry of Planning and Investment welcomed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report (SWOP) 2014 under the theme: “The power of 1.8 billion adolescents, youth and the transformation of the future”.

The report estimates that 1.8 billion people worldwide are 10 and 24 years old. This emphasizes the urgency to focus on young people. The effect of young people on country development will be positive or negative largely depending on how well governments respond to young people’s needs and enable them to participate meaningfully in social and economic affairs.  “The Report shows that the returns on investments in young people—particularly young women and adolescent girls—can be enormous; with the potential to catapult developing economies forward and eliminate extreme poverty, which is a central objective of the next generation of development goals to succeed the Millennium Development Goals in 2015,” said Dr Hassan Mohtashami.

Lao PDR has made significant progress in human development in particular on young people who make up more than half of the total population. “They are our backbone and future of the country. The Lao Government has been committed and will continue to ensure that young people irrespective of their sex, gender, ethnicity and status are able to fulfil their potential and contribute to productively to the prosperity of the country,” said H.E. Dr. Kiekeo

The Government’s commitment and the Report are welcomed by the Youth Representative who spoke up on behalf of young people calling for greater investment on young people and active participation in decision-making that will affect their lives.

For more information please contact:

Vanly Lorkuangming

Communications Associate – UNFPA Lao PDR

Tel: + 856 21 315547, 353048-9

E-mail: lorkuangming@unfpa.org