Each year, the World Population Day (July 11th) focuses attention on global population issues, particularly in the context of overall development, and the need to address these issues. This year's theme "Investing in Young People" aims to increase advocacy for greater investment and attention to young people who is the central to the development agenda.

For this year's World Population Day, the Ministry of Planning and Investment jointly with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) plan to go beyond a single-day celebration and mark this important event with a number of activities throughout the month to stress out how young people can be key for the country's development.

The activities planned include a seminar entitled "Lao Youth and Development" to be chaired by the Lao Youth Union on July 7th, a friendly football match between government, young people and development partners on July 8th, a youth fair and concert on July 11th with participation of many renowned Lao artists and a debate session by students at the National University of Laos.

The main event to be held on 11 July at the Budo Centre in Vientiane from 1:30 pm onwards, will include a youth Fair with participation of government, development partners and private sector offering services for the youth as well as a mini-concert with performances by Lao artists such as Aluna, Bob Freeman, Ola (from Black Eyes), FangLao Dance Company, Tai, Namfon, The Season, Tookta, Alex, Tot Lina, Joker, Bobby, Num Thao, Anou (from MMAQ), the Lao Youth Union Dance Group, Sinlapa Dance School and the Sikhotabong Karate Do Club.

The access to the Youth Fair and Concert is free.

In addition to the activities a selfie contest for young people will be rolled out on Facebook to engage young people in the campaign. More details on Unfpa Laos Facebook.

World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987 approximately the date on which the world's population reached five billion people.

For more Information please contact:
Ms. Vanly Lorkuangming 
Communication Associate - UNFPA
Tel: + 856 21 315547
Mobile: + 856 20 77822456
E-mail: lorkuangming@unfpa.org