Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations. 

(KPL) Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations led the Lao PDR delegation, which included officials from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Health, at the 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development held from April 7 to 11 at UN Headquarters in New York, USA.

The theme of the session was “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.” The CPD58 brought together delegates from various countries to reaffirm their commitment to the ICPD PoA.

During the 58th Session of the Commission on Population and Development, the Mr. Anouparb reaffirmed Lao PDR's unwavering commitment to the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The ICPD PoA adopted in Cairo in 1994 by UN member states which promotes health and well-being 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.

At the session, Mr. Anouparb also highlighted key milestones achieved since the first National Conference on Population and Development (NCPD), held in October 2023, during which the Lao PDR set forth 14 recommendations that are now shaping national priorities.

The recommendations and commitments from the National Conference on Population and Development (NCPD) to accelerate the implementation of the National Population and Development Policy for 2019–2030 were reaffirmed at regional and global forums, including the 7th Asian and Pacific Population Conference in November 2023 and the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development in 2024.

Following the first NCPD, key follow-up actions and milestones include integrating sexual and reproductive health into the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030), launching Family Planning 2030 commitments to ensure universal access to reproductive healthcare, with the Population Policy Coordination Committee in the process of being established as a key strategic body tasked to oversee the implementation of ICPD PoA and SDGs.

Additionally, efforts are underway to strengthen midwifery services through a new strategy for 2026–2030 and to prepare for the first fully digital Population and Housing Census in 2025.

Looking ahead, the Lao PDR is developing a new Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health Strategy, a Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Strategy, and a National Action Plan to address violence against women and children for the 2026–2030 period as well as a demographic dividend roadmap to accelerate the benefits of demographic transition and young population. These efforts will strengthen legal and social protections and reinforce the country’s commitment to the ICPD PoA.

Furthermore, the government aims to reinforce partnerships to address harmful practices such as child marriage and early pregnancy, while ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The Lao PDR will continue working with ASEAN member countries to exchange best practices and advance 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”, he said.

In conclusion, Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo reaffirmed the Lao PDR’s commitment to implementing the ICPD PoA and the SDGs in collaboration with development partners. He extended appreciation to UNFPA and all partners for their unwavering support in promoting sexual and reproductive health rights and addressing gender-based violence.

KPL