The Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) 2011 will be hold in Vientiane Capital on 22 November, according to the press conference on RTIM on Thursday.
The press was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr. Bounthavy Sisouphanthong and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Minh H. Pham.
Dr. Bounthavy Sisouphanthong (left) and Mr. Minh H. Pham give a speech at the Meet the Press on RTIM at the Ministry of Planning and Investment last Friday.
This press aimed to inform Lao media know about the progress of RTIM to mobilize fund for Official Development Assistance into the implementation of 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan as well as Millennium Development Goals.
The meeting is a pathway to the achievement of the 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP)/ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and 2020 Least Developed Country (LDC) Graduation.
The one day meeting will initially review the first year’s implementation of the 7th NSEDP, identify priorities and requirements for achieving the valuable goals of the 7th NSEDP/MDGs and will look at ways to further improve performance.
Discussions will then focus on three main off-track MDGs and will look at ways to accelerate progress in these areas.
These include; MDG1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger (food poverty and child malnutrition); MDG5: Improve Maternal Health (maternal mortality and access to reproductive health); and MDG7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability (reverse the loss of environmental resources).
Other matters to be reviewed include progress in governance, adequacy of financial resources, and improvements to aid effectiveness. A special topic is cooperation in discussing a strategy in 2012 for graduation of Lao PDR from Least Developed Country status by 2020.
The annual RTIM is part of the Round Table Process (RTP), which is the primary platform for enhancing substantive dialogue between the government of Laos and development partners on the country development agenda and aid effectiveness in Laos.
The RTP mechanism includes Round Table Meeting (RTM), RTIM and Sector Working Groups (SWGs).
RTM are held every three years to review national planning and strategies. These meeting also provide an opportunity for the government to mobilise further resources.
RTIM are held annually to discuss implementation progress of the plans and recommend further actions.
The 2011 RTIM represents the first follow-up to last year’s successful High Level Round Table Meeting, which reaffirmed commitment to the MDGs.
The RTP bring together the government with development partners (multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and countries) to discuss strategic development directions.
It promotes collaboration, cooperation and understanding by both government and development partners as they work together to make every aid dollar count.
Thus, the RTP provides the platform for the aid effectiveness framework in Laos, including progress in implementing the Vientiane Declaration and Country Action Plan.
SWGs, including provincial level consultations, are critical for the success of both the RTM and RTIM. The current 8 SWGs are made up of representatives from the government, United Nations, Development Partners, Private Sector, International Non-Government Organisations, and civil society.
The sector covered include; Macroeconomics and Private Sector Development; Education; Health; Infrastructure; Governance; Agriculture; Rural Development and Natural Resources; Illicit Drugs; and Mine Action.
Recently, the government has proposed to create two new SWGs, to give more prominence to Trade and Private Sector Development and Natural Resources and Environment.
