(KPL) The Ministry of Planning and Investment welcomed the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report (SWOP) 2014 under the theme "The power of 1.8 billion adolescents, youth, and the transformation of the future."
"The report estimates that 1.8 billion people worldwide are between 10 and 24 years old. This emphasizes the urgency to focus on young people,"Dr Hassan Mohtashami, Representative of UNFPA told a SWOP press conference in Vientiane Capital on 28 November.

The effect of young people on the country’s development will be positive or negative largely depending on how well governments respond to young people’s needs and enable them to participate meaningfully in social and economic affairs.

"The report shows that the return on investment in young people - particularly young women and adolescent girls - can be enormous; with the potential to catapult developing economies forward and eliminate extreme poverty, which is a central objective of the next generation of development goals to accomplish the Millennium Development Goals in 2015,"said Dr Hassan Mohtashami.

"Lao PDR has made significant progress in human development in particular regarding young people who make up more than half of the total population,"said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Mr Kikeo Chanthaboury.

He added, "Young people are the backbone and future of the country.The Lao government is committed and will continue to ensure that young people irrespective of their sex, gender, ethnicity, or status are able to fulfill their potential and contribute productively to the prosperity of the country"

The government’s commitment and the report were welcomed by the Youth Representative who spoke on behalf of young people and called for both greater investment in young people and active participation in decision-making that will affect their lives.

KPL