Mr Thongsavan Phomvihane (third from right) and UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov (third from left) display a publication on the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2027-2031.      --Photo Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Govt, UN endorse US$510 million cooperation framework for 2027-2031

The Lao government and the United Nations have endorsed a new five-year cooperation framework backed by about US$510 million to support national development priorities, improve people’s well-being, and promote sustainable development.
The Lao PDR–United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2027–2031 was formally endorsed in Vientiane on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane, representing the Lao government, and UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov, representing the United Nations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The framework sets out three strategic goals: people’s well-being; governance and institutions; and environment and sustainable development. It also identifies 10 priority areas for cooperation, aligned with Laos’ national development agenda and long-term vision.
The funding is expected to come from 24 UN agencies, funds and programmes over the five-year period, supporting the government’s development priorities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
Speaking at the endorsement ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavan reiterated the government’s commitment to working with the United Nations and other development partners to ensure the framework’s effective and coordinated implementation.
He described the United Nations as a longstanding and trusted development partner that had contributed significantly to Laos’ development efforts and improvements in people’s well-being over many decades.
The government was grateful for the UN’s continued cooperation and support, he said, expressing confidence that the new framework would help deliver tangible and lasting sustainable development outcomes.
Mr Burkhanov said the framework demonstrated the UN’s commitment to supporting the government’s national development priorities and would guide planning, resource allocation and implementation over the next five years.
More than 70 participants attended the ceremony, including deputy ministers, ambassadors, ministry officials, representatives of government agencies and UN organisations.
Following the endorsement ceremony, government and UN representatives gathered for the final high-level meeting of the Joint Steering Committee for the 2022-2026 Cooperation Framework.
The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Anouparb Vongnorkeo and UN Resident Coordinator Bakhodir Burkhanov, with participants reviewing achievements under the current framework and discussing priorities for 2027 and other important issues.
The co-chairs reaffirmed the importance of the Joint Steering Committee as a forum for consultation and a mechanism for monitoring progress in implementing cooperation programmes and projects between the government and UN agencies.
The transition to the new framework is intended to maintain cooperation between Laos and the United Nations while aligning development assistance with the country’s priorities for the next five years.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 23, 2026)