On the occasion of the approval of the Government of the Lao PDR and UNICEF’s new country programme document (CPD) 2022-2026, which provides a new framework for cooperation between UNICEF and the Government of the Lao PDR in the next five years, UNICEF Representative to Lao the PDR pays a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune

(KPL) UNICEF Representative to the Lao PDR Pia Rebello Britto on Sep 8 paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.

During the visit, the new UNICEF country programme document (CPD) was presented to the Deputy Prime Minister, which was developed in consultation with the Government and partners and provides a new framework of cooperation between UNICEF and the Government of the Lao PDR from 2022-2026.

The CPD outlines UNICEF’s priorities over the next five years, which are also aligned with the Lao PDR’s efforts to achieve the SDGs for women and children.

“As we embark on the new five-year country programme of cooperation between the Government of the Lao PDR and UNICEF, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to UNICEF and their continued support to our country in ensuring the well-being of the Lao people. The Government of the Lao PDR looks forward to an even more fruitful cooperation with UNICEF in the future for the benefit of every child in the Lao PDR,” stated Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune.

During the meeting, UNICEF Representative Pia Rebello Britto also congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister on his new appointment to the post.

“The new country programme was developed in response to the situation analysis of children in the Lao PDR and through extensive consultation with line ministries to ensure the comprehensiveness of our programmes. UNICEF acknowledges the strong leadership of the Government of the Lao PDR in the implementation of COVID-19 response measures, especially in the rapid rollout of COVID 19 vaccinations and ensuring that schools can reopen safely for the new academic year. We very much look forward to building an even stronger partnership with the Government in the years to come so that we can further accelerate our progress towards the SDGs for all children,” stated Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF Representative to the Lao PDR. 

The CPD also marks an important milestone in the partnership between UNICEF and the Government of the Lao PDR as it is closely aligned with the second and third outcomes of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) of the Government, which are aimed at improving the quality of human resources to meet the development, research, science and technology needs of the country and improve the Lao people’s overall well-being by 2026.

The longstanding collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of the Lao PDR dates back to 1973. As UNICEF celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the new Country Programme constitutes an important moment in the history of partnership between UNICEF and the Lao PDR.

KPL