Laos shares sustainable development plans at UN forum

Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune (below) explains Laos’ national agenda at the UN Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, USA. - VT

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to uphold multilateral cooperation and enhance partnerships to inspire the necessary transformative changes for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune reiterated the government’s stance when attending the Ministerial Segment of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the theme “Building momentum towards the 2023 SDG Plan Summit: Transformation for Accelerating Implementation of the SDGs”.

The meeting took place in New York, USA, from July 10-19.

“As we strive to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and address pressing challenges, acceleration of the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels is more crucial than ever,” Phoxay said.

“Since this year’s Forum on Sustainable Development and the upcoming SDG Summit mark the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, we have the opportunity not only to look at the progress made so far, but more importantly to reflect on how lost momentum on SDGs can be regained through more pragmatic and systematic approaches.”

Laos is of the view that enhanced commitments and an achievable acceleration plan remain pivotal, he added.

At the national level, the Lao government has adopted important measures, including the national agenda on addressing economic and financial difficulties for 2021-23 and the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan Financing Strategy for 2023-25, to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis.

“Pertaining to the SDGs, we have begun the formulation process of our third voluntary national reviews for 2024, focusing on track analysis of the progress of selected SDGs.”

“This review will enable us to see which SDGs need greater attention both through internal efforts and with support from the international community, particularly developed countries and development partners, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders,” Phoxay said.

He called on the international community to fulfill their commitments in providing necessary support and to act on all fronts so as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals together and leave no one and no country behind.