UNICEF Annual Report 2016: Lao People's Democratic Republic

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in 2016 witnessed a new Government and National Assembly; the implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2016-2020; and the successful discharge of the country’s duties as rotating chair of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). A United Nations (UN) Partnership Framework 2017-2021 was signed between the Government and the UN Country Team during the ASEAN summit in September 2016. The year 2016 was remarkable for UNICEF Lao PDR as the current Country Programme 2012-2016 ended with significant achievements reviewed and documented in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), other ministries and partners. The headline statements were achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets on poverty reduction, universal access and gender parity in primary education, maternal mortality reduction, and access to water and sanitation. The Government also recognised UNICEF Lao PDR’s role in reducing child mortality and stunting, strengthening legal and policy frameworks for child protection, evidence-informed policy and advocacy, and mass media penetration through youth radio, early childhood development (ECD) TV, social media and mobile technology