VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Technology and Communications, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a project aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Laos.
According to the ministry's report on Thursday (June 18), the launching ceremony was held in Lao's capital Vientiane on Tuesday (June 16).
The event aimed to enhance awareness and understanding among digital transformation focal points from government ministries regarding the project's objectives, implementation approach, priorities, investment requirements, and key activities.
It also outlined the roles, responsibilities, and annual work plan designed to strengthen participation and ownership across the public sector.
Digital transformation has been identified as a key driver of Laos' socio-economic development, helping to improve public service delivery, enhance government efficiency, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite recent progress, Laos continues to face challenges, including fragmented digital systems, limited connectivity and data sharing, insufficient open public data, and capacity constraints across sectors.
To address these issues, the project will support national digital transformation through two main initiatives, including strengthening coordination among ministries and sectors under the National Committee for Digital Transformation (NCDT), and developing a centralised digital government roadmap, including governance and budget frameworks, to guide comprehensive digital transformation efforts.
During the meeting, participants discussed the project's strategic direction and key next steps.
In his speech, Director General of the ministry's E-Government Centre, Thavisak Manotham, emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration and commitment to the project.
He noted that the initiative will play a vital role in advancing technology, communications, and digital transformation in Laos, contributing to the country's long-term development goals. - Xinhua
