Round Table retreat reviews implementation of 2018 recommendations
 
The government and development partners met in Vientiane on Friday to discuss translation of the key recommendations of the 2018 Round Table Meeting into concrete follow-up actions.
The annual retreat on the 2019 Round Table process, which also discussed the roadmap towards the 2019 Round Table Implementation Meeting expected to take place at the end of the year, was attended by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Kaarina Immonen, along with representatives of the private sector and civil society.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Kikeo highlighted the importance of this year, when a number of follow-up actions on various milestones and challenges experienced in 2018 will take place.
He said another main issue will be preparations to formulate the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP 2021-2025) taking into account the 8th NSEDP Mid-Term Review results and criteria for Least Developed Country graduation. 
Progress in implementing the recommendations of the 5th National Human Development Report and preparing for the sixth report using the results of various national surveys conducted in 2018 will also be discussed.
In addition, participants will follow up on the first Sustainable Development Goals Voluntary National Review Report presented in New York last year to ensure these goals are properly mainstreamed, integrated into national frameworks and monitored at all levels.
The 2019 Round Table Implementation Meeting will look into the application of the key recommendations from 2018 and discuss the key content of the 9th NSEDP.
All these actions will specifically focus on how to build-back better after disasters, with recovery action plans to be developed and implemented at all levels, Dr Kikeo said.
The meeting provided support for the idea that “national development policies will have greater impacts if they are constructed based on what actually happens on the ground and at the sectoral level. This will also ensure effective policy implementation towards sustainable development,” he added.  Dr Kikeo urged government agencies and development partners to think strategically in preparing for this year’s Round Table Meeting, while continuing to take forward the recommendations of past meetings and keeping progress on track.
Ms Immonen said “The Round Table Meeting and its process have grown in stature over the years as a result of everyone’s efforts. The dynamic of our consultations has continued to become more open through a frank exchange and mutual learning. This is both an asset and a reflection of the mutual trust, understanding and shared accountability among all stakeholders.”
Looking at the work to be performed by the government and its development partners in 2019, she added that “all these valuable data collected and the further localisation of Sustainable Development Goals will help to address the remaining gaps between now and 2030”.

ByTimes Reporters
(Latest Update February 18, 2019)