On 14 November 2024, Mrs. Pimwadee Sovaratanapong, Deputy Director-General, Acting Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), attended the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2024 (RTIM) under the theme: “Enhance Partnership to Support the Implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan”, at National Convention Centre, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The RTIM is a part of the Round Table Process (RTP), which is organized annually by the Government of Lao PDR and co-chaired by the Minister of Planning and Investment and the UN Resident Coordinator to the Lao PDR. The RTIM summarized progress made in implementing the National Economic and Social Development Plan over the past year and sets joint priorities to support implementation in the coming year.

H.E. Ph.D. Phet Phomphiphak, Minister of Planning and Investment, and Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UN Resident Coordinator to the Lao PDR, co-chaired the RTIM 2024. The Meeting was attended by representatives from Laos’ central and local government sector as well as private sector, and representatives from Development Partners (DPs) of Lao PDR's.  The Meeting participants acknowledged a summary report and a progress of implementation of the Lao PDR’s key strategies such as the 9^th NSEDP (2021 - 2025), the drafting of the 10^th NSEDP, Lao PDR’s LDC Graduation Plan, and the review of the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VDCAP) (2016 - 2025).

There were Parallel Panel Discussions on two topics namely (1) Sustainable Economic and Financing for Development Priorities and (2) Human Capital Development to Support Development Goals. The Panelists had a chance to exchange ideas and find ways in addressing economic and financial challenges, supporting the achievement of the national vision for an inclusive and sustainable economy; promoting Lao PDR’s human capital development and realising the potential of the young population to drive sustainable national development.