Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao government has announced a major reform of its sustainable development management apparatus, consolidating work handled by three national-level bodies under a single focal point to improve efficiency and coordination.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone made the directive while chairing a recent meeting of the National Steering Committee for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2026.
Under the reform, work related to the SDGs, least developed country (LDC) and landlocked developing countries (LLDC) will be brought together under the Secretariat of the National Steering Committee.
The move comes ahead of an important milestone as Laos is expected to be officially recognised by the United Nations as having graduated from the LDC category in November 2026, opening a new chapter in the Southeast Asian country’s socio-economic development.
The restructuring is in line with the Lao government’s policy of streamlining the organisational apparatus, reducing overlaps and saving budgetary and human resources, aiming to implement national policies more quickly and consistently.
Alongside the internal restructuring, the Lao Government is preparing its fourth Voluntary National Review (VNR 4), an important report to be presented at the UN High-level Political Forum in 2027.
To ensure a sustainable transition from LDC status, Sonexay has instructed relevant agencies to pay special attention to goals that are behind schedule, progressing slowly or unlikely to be achieved as planned.
He also called for greater modernisation of management, particularly through the development of a centralised data system for accurate monitoring and assessment. The system is expected to provide reliable data to support the government in decision-making and policymaking.
The measures reflect Laos’ efforts to strengthen national governance capacity and lay a foundation for higher-quality growth in the future./.
