Laos to host Round Table Implementation Meeting this month

The Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) will take place in Vientiane on November 14 under the theme “Enhance Partnership to Support Implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan”.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Mrs Phonevanh Outhavong.

A report on the meeting was presented at a Meet the Press Event on Monday, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Mrs Phonevanh Outhavong and the UN Resident Coordinator to Laos, Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov.
Mrs Phonevanh informed reporters about the success of the 2023 round table meeting of ministries and other government bodies, implementation of the 9th National Socio-economic Development Plan (NSEDP) for 2021-2025, and the creation of the next development plan for 2026-2030.
This year’s meeting will be attended by more than 300 delegates.
Participants will come from ministries and equivalent organisations from Vientiane and the 17 provinces, other countries, development partners, social organisations, the private sector, non-profit organisations, and other interested groups.
Mrs Phonevanh said this year’s meeting is particularly important because the government is in the final stages of the current five-year National Socio-economic Development Plan and is now formulating the plan that will guide the country’s development over the next five years.
“We are trying to fulfil the goals of the current NSEDP in the remaining one year under the most challenging conditions,” the Deputy Minister said.
“Efforts to meet these goals are hampered by growing global economic uncertainties, inflation, the high cost of living, the aftermath of widespread flooding, and other difficulties.”
“We also have a limited budget but a large number of development needs, as defined in the national economic and financial agenda. However, we have done our best to execute the financial strategy spelled out by the current NSEDP.”
The Round Table Implementation Meeting is a coordination mechanism in relation to foreign aid, which was initiated in 1983 and was convened every three years in Switzerland.
Since 1999, meetings have been held in Laos.
High-level round table meetings are organised every five years to provide a platform for discussions to promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the Lao government and its development partners.
The meetings stimulate important discussions on Laos’ development agenda and give recommendations about efficient ways to make progress towards development and the coordination of domestic aid systems.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 6, 2024)