Lao PDR received the visit of Mr. Subhash Gupta, Director of the Division of Management Services (DMS) from UNFPA headquarters on June 26 and 27. The aim of the visit was to monitor and assess the progress and performance of the country office as well as to meet with some of the local stakeholders.
During his meeting with UNFPA staff, Mr. Gupta highlighted the fact that UNFPA received an unqualified International Public Sector Accounting Standards United Nations audit report. As a country office, the contribution of a clean national execution audit to this status was acknowledged, with a heed to "not become complacent but remain vigorous and ensure continued accountability."
Mr. Gupta emphasized the need to continue assessment of implementing partners as comprehensively as possible, using the available tools provided by the organization. Regarding accountability to donors, and remaining transparent all the time he shared with the staff UNFPA's move to join the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI).
As part of his schedule, Mr. Gupta met His Excellency Prof. Dr. Eksavang Vonvichit, Minister of Health of Laos. During this meeting, Mr. Gupta acknowledged the great performance of the Ministry on the audit reports, in particular the strategy of direct transfer to the provinces and other sub implementing partners by UNFPA in 2013.
Dr. Eksavang congratulated the efforts of UNFPA in supporting the government to improve the health of Women and Young People in Lao PDR and praised the excellent relation between UNFPA and MoH.
Mr. Gupta met also the Vice-Minister of Planning and Investment, His Excellency Dr. Samaychanh Boupha, who is the head of the Lao Statistics Bureau, national organism in charge of undertaking the Census 2015.
The Vice-Minister applauded the collaboration existing with UNFPA and brought up the need to continue the preparations for the Census process which total estimated budget is 6 million USD. So far the Government has committed to meet 25% of the cost. "For transparency and accountability, there is a need for a roadmap and detailed plan, timeline and budget for donors, including UNFPA, to consider support based on their potential" advised Mr. Gupta.
During his short stay, Mr Gupta also visited the Lao-Luxembourg Health Support Programme, which is both a donor and stakeholder for UNFPA in Laos and had a briefing meeting with the UN Operations Management Team, with participation from UNDP, WFP, UNODC and World Bank.
The short -but very productive- visit ended with an informal debriefing session, where the staff had the chance to ask the last questions and say goodbye to the distinguished visitor.
Dr. Esther Muia, UNFPA Representative, commended the staff for their hard work and thanked Mr. Gupta for taking the time to visit and get some insight into the situation in the country. "We will keep working hard to support the government of Lao PDR to deliver results and all available efforts will be in place to ensure we remain focused on delivering to UNFPA commitments in Laos while remaining accountable and transparent all the time" she added.
