UNDP, Planning Ministry review UN-funded projects

VIENTIANE,01.20.2012(KPL)- Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in cooperation with UNDP held an annual review meeting the progamme for realizing the MDGs in Lao PDR “Consolidated programme of Support to MPI for Achievement of the Valuable goals of the 7th National Socio-economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2011-2015 in Vientiane Capital on 19 January. The meeting was co-presided over by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Mr. Somchit Inthamith, and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Minh Pham. Mr. Somchit said the meeting is to disseminate the outstanding achievements including the five year of 7th NSEDP, NSEDP on 2011-2012, the round table meeting on 2011, which the development dialogue partners agreed to continue providing support Lao PDR to achieve the plan, MDG, consolidate the capacity building for human resources in central and local level regarding to the economic report on and IT on statistic field. Under the programme, this also supported the implementation of training programme on capacity building in management, monitoring and advising the implementation of project, aiming to ensure the achievement of efficient development. The objective of the meeting is to discuss on the progresses, key challenges and issues of the implementation of each components activities in 2011 and discussed a main priorities of 2012 from Department under MPI programme. It also discussed on the termination of capacity development for national implementation project and new proposal to support its activities. Deputy Minister Somchit added that the event is to highlight the outstanding of achievement during the last seven months: Round Table Meeting was successfully organized with new format and Dialogue Partners were very much appreciated. However more challenges to overcome and follow for 2012 Round Table Implementation Meeting, including effectively build mechanism for coordination and further strengthening Sector Working Group (SWG) annual performance as well as Vientiane Declaration and Country Action Plan (VDCAP). Restructured the SWG mechanism, establishing two new SWGs, and revised generic ToR, including new arrangement requirements included MDG related commitments (VDCAP) indicators and new co-chair arrangements. Department of Planning, MPI was supported in finalizing and disseminating the 7th five years National Socio-economic Plan for 2011-2015 included coordinating Annual NSEDP with Ministry of Finance and other Ministries to undertake regular consultations on the 7th NSEDP and public investment requirement to achieves NSEDP goals, including MDGs. The Department of Planning also worked in close collaboration with its strategic partners for development cooperation. For instance, the participatory planning manual at the village level has been prepared in a highly participative manner with partner from different line ministries and development and development partners. The component also working closely with existing research network as well as line department of MPI and have been working closely with Department of Statistic, National University of Laos, Journalist association, Department of Planning of Ministry of Planning and Investment. With regard to the 2012 plan, the department will draft the annual implementation plans and mid-year reviews 2012-2013 in close consultation and collaboration with other MPI departments and will take the lead in drafting report MDG report 2012. The overall performance of the programme was highly satisfied in term of output delivery and disbursement, which we could disbursed 70% in total compare to our plan, said Mr. Somchit. The gap of the programme which is only 39% of total requirement was secured (US$ 3,530,000) of the total US$ 8,990,520. Therefore UNDP with other DP supplier will need to work together closely to narrow the gap and to continue support MPI programme in achieving the implementation of the 7th NSEDP 2011-2015 and MDGs.