UNDP has a long history working in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The UNDP comparative advantage has been its ability to work closely with a very broad range of government and local-level institutions at all levels.

Moving forward, UNDP will support key areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) such as inclusive prosperity, governance and environment. UNDP will build on its comparative advantage, for instance, in governance where UNDP remains a key partner of the Government which relies on UNDP thematic expertise and convening power to engage with a broad range of stakeholders.

The programme will consist of three interrelated pillars brought together by focusing on the most vulnerable in society, including women, young people, ethnic groups and persons with disabilities, and through an area-based integrated approach focused on a select number of provinces/districts. Particular emphasis has been given to the adoption of human rights-based approach principles across all three pillars, with results focused on strengthening the enabling environment and developing the capacities of duty bearers and rights holders to promote greater synergies and economies of scale across the programme.