According to a news release by the Lao delegation attending the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as reported by the Vientiane Times on April 15, Laos has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the health and well-being of its people as part of its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
On April 9, Anouphap Phongnumkhun, the Permanent Representative of Laos to the United Nations, stated during his speech at the session that Laos is committed to implementing the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA). The ICPD PoA, adopted in Cairo in 1994, aims to promote people's health and well-being as a crucial foundation for sustainable development. Achieving these goals requires empowering women and young people, through universal access to education and reproductive health services, including family planning, and promoting gender equality.
Anouphap led the Lao delegation, which consisted of officials from the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Health, to the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development. The theme of this session was "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages."
During the session, he outlined the key progress made by Laos, including actions taken following the first National Conference on Population and Development held in October 2023. The conference put forward 14 recommendations that now guide the country's priorities in health, gender equality, and youth development.
The government is integrating sexual and reproductive health into the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026 - 2030), while the new commitment of "Family Planning 2030" aims to ensure universal access to reproductive health care. Laos is preparing for its first fully digital population and housing census in 2025 and will soon establish a Population Policy Coordination Committee to oversee national and international efforts.
To strengthen health services, the government is formulating a midwifery strategy for 2026 - 2030, as well as new strategies on maternal, child, and adolescent health, civil registration, and the prevention of gender - based violence. Laos is also drafting a road map for the demographic dividend to maximize the benefits of its young population and is working to end child marriage and early pregnancy.
Mr. Anouphap said that Laos will continue to strengthen its partnerships with ASEAN countries to share good practices and support common development goals. "We remain committed to advancing reproductive health strategies, improving the civil registration system to obtain universal legal identity documents, combating harmful practices such as child marriage, and leveraging ASEAN partnerships to uphold the priorities of the International Conference on Population and Development within the region."
