Laos' Sam Sang policy spearheads devolution of administration

President Thongloun Sisoulith. - VT

VIENITANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The government is continuing to pursue a devolution strategy known as the Sam Sang (Three Builds) directive, to alleviate poverty and enable Laos to graduate from the United Nations’ list of least developed countries in 2026.

The Sam Sang directive aims to build up provinces as strategy-making units, districts to be strengthened in all regards, and villages to become development units.

Senior officials from concerned sectors gathered at a meeting in Vientiane on Wednesday to review the rollout of the political building strategy at the grass-root levels, rural development and poverty reduction programme and the devolution strategy from 2016-2021 and outline plans until 2025.

The meeting was attended by Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, Politburo members and other leaders.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Dr Bounthong Chitmany said the Sam Sang directive is responsible for development at the grassroots level, especially by reducing poverty in rural areas, as stated in national socio-economic development plans.

The strategy also helps to improve administration at the district level.

In recent years the government has spent 248 billion kip on 943 projects to improve infrastructure and promote agricultural production in 109 villages of the 51 districts under the Sam Sang directive.

In the spirit of the Sam Sang, the District Development Fund mechanism has helped build the capacities of local authorities to provide better public administration and service delivery.

With capital investment grants, various projects have been implemented in 53 of the country’s 148 districts.

The lessons learned and achievements gained from the process have benefitted local communities. The mechanism now offers an open opportunity for all development partners to engage at the subnational level.

Sam Sang is stipulated in the Resolution of the 9th Party Congress. The concept of the directive is to divide delegation management, responsibilities and benefits to local authorities appropriately.

More people are increasingly active in improving conditions for their families and hometowns, which also contributes to development and security in their regions.