(KPL) Minister of Health, Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith led the Lao delegation attended the 57^th Session of Commission on Population and Development (57th CPD) on 29 April -3 May 2024 at the Headquarter of the United Nations (UN) in New York, United States of America.

The CPD57, under the theme on “Assessing the status of implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and its contribution to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development” represent a centerpiece of the intergovernmental review of the ICPD Programme of Action on its 30th anniversary, bringing together the nationals, regional and global reviews.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith delivered a national statement in line with the key recommendations of the National Conference on Population and Development and in support of the Lao Socio-Economic Development Plan and National Population and Development Policy.

 He highlighted the nation progress in increasing family planning uptake, skilled birth attendance and primary school enrolment, as well as achieving a decline in maternal mortality ratio, reaffirming the national commitment to accelerating the implementation of the ICPD PoA and SDGs on the way to zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and zero gender-based violence, harmful practices and child marriages.

In addition, special attention was given to the demographic transition and harnessing the demographic dividend, empowering the people of the Lao PDR, especially focusing on young and future generations. The Lao government will continue its efforts to attain the 2030 agenda in the remaining period.

Beside that the Lao delegation jointly organized a side event with two other ASEAN countries: the Kingdom of Cambodia and Vietnam in partnership with UNFPA and with support of the Government of Australia through DFAT, under the theme: Advancing the ICPD POA – demonstrating how the ICPD PoA contributes to sustainable development in the Mekong: Sub-themes National mechanisms and commitment, family planning, reducing maternal mortality, comprehensive sexuality education.

 More than 40 participants attended the discussions. The three countries will keep the momentum to continue further discussion on strengthening the joint efforts through south-south and triangulation cooperation frameworks to accelerate the ICPD POA implementation in the region. 

It was also noted that as the Lao PDR assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship, the Government will continue to build upon the past achievements of the ASEAN community in advancing sustainable development and strengthening the ASEAN connectivity, resilience and South-South cooperation, including in the framework of the ICPD PoA and SDGs.

KPL