UN senior official reaffirms support for Laos’ development agendas 

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina J. Mohamed, during talks with senior Lao officials in New York, reaffirmed the international body’s support for Laos’ efforts to fulfil its development agendas.

DPM Saleumxay Kommasith at the talks with Ms Amina J. Mohamed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, led the Lao delegation attending the 78th UN General Assembly last week, when he also held talks with senior officials from international bodies and foreign countries during sideline events.
During the meeting with Ms Mohamed on September 20, the senior UN official reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to extending further support to Laos as it strives to achieve its development agendas, the Lao ministry said in a statement.
Mr Saleumxay and Ms Mohamed also exchanged views on cooperation priorities between Laos and the United Nations, fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals, Laos’ international workplan, and enhancement of the UN’s role in promoting global peace and cooperation for development.
They also discussed improvements to the working methods of UN agencies at the country level, and the mobilisation of development assistance from development partners.
Mr Saleumxay thanked the United Nations for the significant assistance and support provided for Laos’ socio-economic development over past decades.
On the same day, the Lao foreign minister also separately met his counterparts - Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam, Parnpree Phahitthanukorn of Thailand, and Peter Szijiarto of Hungary - to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.
Mr Saleumxay also signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty.
On Friday, the minister of Laos as the coordinating country between Asean and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) co-chaired the 15th Asean-ECO Ministerial Meeting with his counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan as the chair of ECO.
The Lao delegation, which comprised ministers and senior officials from various ministries, also attended a number of meetings including the Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response meeting, Climate Action Summit, Leaders’ Dialogues of the SDG Summit, Financing for Development, and the Ministerial Meeting for the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 25, 2023)