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Regional Director Visit Affirms Support and Solidarity with Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ahead of ASEAN 2024 Chairmanship
Vientiane – Last week, (20-24/02) Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola, Regional Director(RD) for IOM Asia and the Pacific paid her first official visit to Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the objectives of further strengthening ongoing cooperation between IOM and the Government and affirm the ongoing provision of technical assistance on migration management and related issues as the country prepares to take on the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
During her visit, RD Arriola met the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, the Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, H.E. Ms. Phonevanh Outhavong, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, H.E. Ms. Baykham Khattiya, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, H.E. Pol. Maj. Gen. Khamkhing Phuilamanyvong, to express her gratitude for the generous and continued support in coordinating the implementation of IOM programmes in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Key cooperation highlights have included the signing of the Cooperation Agreement and contributing to the development of IOM Country Strategy 2022-2026 that provides a clear strategic pathway to work within the country and enhances current and future collaborations with the Government of Lao PDR, donors, UN agencies, and development partners in the country and the region.
Minister Baykham Khattiya and Deputy Minister Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune expressed their great gratitude for the strong and continuous support of the IOM to the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic in improving migration management and mainstreaming migration to the policy level with the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They also commended IOM’s ongoing commitment to leave no one behind and to bolster advancing the migration governance in the country through the whole-of-government and society approach.
RD Arriola also held bilateral meetings with Sara Sekkenes, the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRCO), and donors, H.E. Dr. Peter Haymond, the United States’ Ambassador to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and H.E. Mr. Paul Kelly, Australia’s Ambassador to Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The meetings focussed on mutually improving migration governance in the country, contributions to the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration at the national, regional and international level as well as the challenges Lao People’s Democratic Republic is facing as a landlocked county bordering five countries with regards to migration.
During her meetings, RD Arriola also reiterated IOM’s commitment to continue its close collaboration with the Government, UN agencies, and developments partners to ensure that IOM’s works are aligned with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2021-2025, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized that IOM’s work would continue to reflect the IOM Global Strategic Results Framework and IOM’s commitments under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
“IOM stands ready to strengthen collaboration with the wider Government partners including the existing and new partners as well as relevant stakeholders to address the challenge of migration issues in the country, and in strengthening development cooperation to ensure synergies, maximize development returns, and support the Government during the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024,” said RD Arriola.
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For more information, please contact Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission at IOM Lao PDR at Shtuladhar@iom.int