This event was chaired by Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Finance and Vice President of the National Population and Development Steering Committee and attended by deputy ministers, directors-general, deputy directors-general, and representatives from relevant sectors. 
The objective of this meeting was to announce a ministerial decision No. 3143/MoF, dated September 23, 2025, on the establishment of the National Population and Development Steering Committee, and to ensure that the appointed committee members are aware of their roles and responsibilities so that they can work effectively on the implementation of population and development initiatives in the Lao PDR. 
The meeting emphasized the importance of population and development as factors that shape national socioeconomic development, alongside their positive impact on multiple sectors, including education, public health, transportation, housing, social security, and employment. Having realized the significance of this matter, the Ministry of Finance has initiated a population and development policy, an action plan for youth empowerment, and established the Steering Committee for Population and Development to advance and ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the policy.  

In addition to the meeting of the National Steering Committee, the Official Launch Ceremony and handover of the Lao PDR Demographic Dividend Roadmap were held. This event was co-chaired by Dr. Sitthiroth Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative. A number of deputy ministers and representatives from relevant government line ministries, embassies, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector attended the event. 
During the event, participants attended briefings on the Lao PDR Demographic Dividend Roadmap, its Cost Action Plan, and monitoring tools designed to track implementation progress of the roadmap. 
The Lao PDR is undergoing a rapid demographic transition. According to the roadmap, fertility declined from approximately 6.3 births per woman in 1950 to 2.4 in 2024, while life expectancy has increased. As the working-age population grows relative to the dependent population, the country has an opportunity to accelerate economic development.
This demographic dividend is not automatic. It depends on whether people can access quality services, complete their education and find decent work. The roadmap identifies a limited period for action, with the demographic window projected to close between 2055 and 2060.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone described the roadmap as a strategic guide for implementing the country’s population and development priorities: 
“The Demographic Dividend Roadmap does not create a new or competing policy framework. It builds on existing policies, including the National Population and Development Policy (2019–2030) and the Youth and Adolescent Strategy (2021–2030),” he said in his opening remarks at the meeting.”
The Costed Action Plan is intended to connect these priorities with the resources needed to deliver them. The Real-Time Dashboard will help monitor implementation, enabling the Government and its partners to identify gaps and direct attention to areas where progress is needed.

Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the Government and its partners in translating the roadmap into practical investments: 
“Lao PDR’s demographic opportunity depends on the investments we make in people today. For young people, this means being able to stay healthy, complete their education and find decent work. UNFPA will continue to support the Ministry of Finance and line ministries in turning this roadmap into a costed action plan grounded in local needs, with clear budget priorities to mobilise financing and deliver results for women and young people across the country.”
Implementation will require coordination across ministries and sustained engagement with development partners and the private sector. By linking population evidence with planning and financing, the roadmap provides a basis for investments that enable women and young people to make choices about their lives and contribute to the country’s development.
At the end of the meeting, the official handover of the Demographic Dividend Roadmap of the Lao PDR was held. During this session, Mr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented the Demographic Dividend Roadmap to Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Finance.