Dr Vongkhamheng Vongthachak (seated centre right), on Friday co-chairs a consultation meeting with UNDP Resident Representative in Laos, Ms Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé.   --Photo Ministry of Finance

Govt, UNDP prepare agenda for 2026 Round Table meeting

The government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are preparing for the 2026 Round Table meeting, with discussions focusing on human resource development and economic restructuring to help Laos achieve upper-middle-income country status.
The Ministry of Finance and UNDP held a consultation meeting in Vientiane on October 23 to discuss the format, key topics and organisation of discussion groups for the upcoming meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for November 19, ensuring that the agenda reflects Laos’ development priorities and needs.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Director General of the International Finance and Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Vongkhamheng Vongthachak, and UNDP Resident Representative in Laos, Ms Ayshanie Medagangoda‐Labé.
Officials from government agencies, representatives of embassies, international organisations and development partners also attended.
Participants discussed the proposed themes and arrangements for the discussion groups, with the aim of encouraging focused exchanges and ensuring that the Round Table meeting addresses Laos’ most pressing development challenges.
Dr Vongkhamheng highlighted the government’s priorities, including building an independent and self-reliant economy, maintaining economic and monetary stability, strengthening domestic production to ensure food security and expand exports, and improving education and workforce skills. He also emphasised the importance of applying technology and artificial intelligence to support national development.
Two main topics were selected for the 2026 Round Table meeting: accelerating Laos’ transition to upper-middle-income country status through human resource development, and advancing the same goal through sustainable economic structural transformation.
Last week’s discussions will help shape the meeting’s agenda and support implementation of the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030, particularly its priorities for 2027.
The preparations come as Laos nears graduation from Least Developed Country status next month. The Round Table meeting will provide a platform for the government and development partners to align priorities, strengthen cooperation, and mobilise support for Laos’ development objectives.
In addition, this year’s Round Table Meeting will mark the beginning of the Lao PDR’s transition following its graduation from Least Developed Country status.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 27, 2026)