Laos pledges stronger action on population and development

Laos has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting health and wellbeing of people as part of effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, according to a press release from the Lao delegation attending the 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development at UN Headquarters in New York, USA. 
Speaking at the session on April 9, the Permanent Representative of Laos to the United Nations, Mr Anouparb Vongnorkeo, said that Laos is committed to the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA).

Mr Anouparb Vongnorkeo delivers the Lao PDR’s statement at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development at UN Headquarters in New York, USA.

Adopted in Cairo in 1994, the ICPD PoA aims to promote health and well-being of people as essential foundations for sustainable development. Achieving these goals requires empowering women and young people through universal access to education and reproductive health services, including family planning, as well as advancing gender equality.
Mr Anouparb led the Lao delegation, consisting of officials from the Ministries of Planning and Investment and Health, at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development. The event was held under the theme "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages."
At the conference, he outlined key progress made in Laos, including actions following the first National Conference on Population and Development held in October 2023. The conference produced 14 recommendations that now guide national priorities on health, gender equality and youth development.
The government is integrating sexual and reproductive health into the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030), while new commitments under Family Planning 2030 aim to ensure universal access to reproductive healthcare, he said.
Mr Anouparb said Laos is preparing for its first fully digital Population and Housing Census in 2025 and will soon establish a Population Policy Coordination Committee to oversee national and international efforts.
To strengthen health services, the government is developing a midwifery strategy for 2026–2030 and new strategies on maternal, child and adolescent health, civil registration, and gender-based violence prevention.
Laos is also drawing up a demographic dividend roadmap to maximise the benefits of its young population, and is working to end child marriage and early pregnancy.
Mr Anouparb said Laos will continue to strengthen partnerships with ASEAN countries to share good practices and support shared development goals.
“We remain committed to advancing reproductive health strategies, improving civil registration systems for universal legal identity documentation, combating harmful practices like child marriage, and leveraging ASEAN partnerships to uphold ICPD priorities regionally,” the Ambassador was quoted as saying. 

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 12, 2025)