VIENTIANE, 27 July 2023 – Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Ekkaphab Phanthavong met with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) Phouvong Luangxaysana. The visit was conducted to discuss priorities, deliverables, and technical arrangements for Lao PDR’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, and the preparations for the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and its related meetings.
Vice Minister Luangxaysana briefed DSG Phanthavong on Lao PDR’s national Green Growth Strategy which showcases the country’s efforts in guiding cross-sectoral action towards sustainable development, healthier environment, and a prosperous socio-economic future. Guided by the theme “Making Lao PDR Green, Clean and Beautiful”, he further outlined MONRE’s Vision towards 2030 to mitigate global warming from greenhouse gas emissions, ensure the quality of life for citizens, achieve sustainable development, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The meeting also discussed advancing climate action, mainstreaming biodiversity, and strengthening water resource management. Vice Minister Luangxaysana highlighted that these issues are aligned to MONRE’s work on pollution control and waste management, climate change, land management, water resource management, and hydrology. He further conveyed the preparations for the 17th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and the 18th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP-18) scheduled on August 2023.
DSG Phanthavong also paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith today. The meeting discussed the sector’s priorities, and deliverables for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. Minister Phoummalaysith emphasised the need to improve coordination of health systems in the region and operationalise the recently adopted ASEAN Leader’s Declaration on One Health Initiative, the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening emergency preparedness of ASEAN Member States, and the preservation of ASEAN’s common interest and benefits. He highlighted Lao PDR’s smart city approach on healthcare which showcases the country’s efforts to leverage digital technology to achieve a competitive economy, sustainable environment, and high quality of life.
In his visit, DSG Phanthavong reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to support and assist Lao PDR in its ASEAN Chairmanship.
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