🇱🇦Thongsavanh PhomvihaneLao People’s Democratic Republic · UNGA 81 speech

Mr. President, at the outset, allow me to express my warmest congratulations to His Excellency Dr. Khalilulrahman on his election as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. My delegation assure you of our full support and cooperation throughout your presidency, and I also express our deep appreciation to Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock for her dedicated leadership during the 80th session. The theme for this session, Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation, United Nations that delivers for all, arise at the pivotal junction. For developing and vulnerable countries, when resources and responsive United Nations is an indispensable anchor. Restoring trust in our international system required us to uphold predictable support, honor commitments, and reaffirm our fidelity to the UN Charter. For the Lao PDR, restoring and deepening trust begins with renewed commitment to inclusive multilateralism, with the United Nations at the core. When dialogue is guided by mutual respect, transparency, and genuine cooperation, multilateralism yields tangible benefits for all people. Mr. President, our world continues to confront severe multifaceted tensions. geopolitical crisis and tension, microeconomic instability, supply chain disruption, and accelerating climate emergencies. These headwinds place immense strain on the most vulnerable economies, where rising energy and food prices jeopardize the livelihood of millions of people in countries in special situation. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East demonstrate how rapidly confrontation can destabilize global stability. Sustainable peace cannot be fought through force or unilateral action. It requires diplomacy, respect, for sovereign equality and territorial integrity and strict adherence to international law. The question of Palestine remains an enduring test of multilateral credibility. We remain deeply concerned by humanitarian catastrophe and reconstruction requirement in Gaza, as well as the mounting challenges in the West Bank. To prevent the two-state solution from slipping beyond the reach, the international community must secure a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace on and one that fulfills the legitimate rights to the Palestinian people to self-determination through an independent state of Palestine with full membership in the United Nations. In the same vein, the Lao PDR reiterates its principle position against unilateral, coercive measures. The prolonged economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba continue to inflict hardship on its people. We call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of these sanctions, including logistic and energy blockades and removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Such steps are essential first humanitarian measures toward restoring trust and reaffirming the primacy of international law. Mr. President, the gap between commitment and delivery on climate change equally tests the credibility of multilateralism. Although the Lao PDR has contributed only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, our people are increasingly affected by floods, droughts, and extreme weather conditions. The Lao PDR remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and its nationally determined contributions. However, Climate ambitions must be matched by adequate, predictable, and accessible climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to enable vulnerable developing states to adapt, build long-term resilience, and pursue low carbon growth pathways. Mr. President, the Lao PDR welcome the UN's 80th initiative to enhance the coherence, transparency, and effectiveness of the UN system. Systematic reform must ensure a balanced approach across the three pillars of organizations: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. The implementation of the Pact of the Future and the Global Digital Compact must focus on narrowing the digital divide. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies must serve human development, strengthen local technical capacities, and respect national development priorities. Mr. President, as an active member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Lao PDR reaffirm that a united, integrated ASEAN serve as a cornerstone of regional peace and multilateral stability. We remain steadfast in supporting ASEAN centrality within the evolving regional architecture, where ASEAN-led mechanisms foster trust and practical cooperation. This year carries special significance as we begin implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, alongside its strategic plans across the three community pillars: It also marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. A foundational framework whose core principles of peace, coexistence and mutual respect remain fully relevant today. ASEAN remains the bedrock of the Lao PDR's regional engagement. Mr. President, despite severe external economic shocks and natural disaster, the Lao economy continues its steady recovery through strong national ownership and strategic international partnership. Guided by our sovereign and self-reliance economic policy, The Lao PDR has adopted its 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan for a period of 2026 and 2030. The 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan focused on six core national outcomes. First, executing a sovereign and self-reliant economic policy aiming for steady annual GDP growth of 6% or higher. The second, developing high quality human resources capable of driving technology transition. Third, improving living standard, ensuring balanced urban rural development and alleviating poverty. Fourth, protecting natural resources, building climate resilience and mitigating disaster risk. Fifth, enhancing regional and global economic integration and connectivity. And sixth, strengthening the efficiency and transparency of public administration and governance. Central to this strategy is transforming the Lao PDR from the landlocked countries into land-linked region. gateway. Strategic infrastructure including the Lao-China railway, the Laos-Vietnam railway project, expanded transit corridors and access to the sea via Vung Ang International Port are actively driving regional trade and integration. Our long-term vision towards 2055 aims to firmly establish The Lao PDR as an upper middle income nation with a sustainable, inclusive growth and its goal. Mr. President, this year marked a landmark milestone in our national development. The Lao PDR remain fully committed to its formal graduation from least developed country status in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolution. As the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, rightly stated, LDC graduation must be a reward, never a punishment. To safeguard our hard-won development gains and prevent structural setbacks, we are executing a robust, smooth transition strategy for the period 2026 to 2029. We call on our international partners to provide predictable transition support, extend smoothly adjustment regarding international support measures. I expand concessional financing to build enduring economic resilience. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains fully embedded within our national planning. As we prepare to present our fourth voluntary national review at the 2027 High Level Political Forum, we remain dedicated to an open, transparent assessment of our progress. For the Lao PDR, The nexus between peace and development is a life experience. As a country heavily impacted by wartime cluster munitions for over five decades, we have placed unexploded ordnance clearance at the heart of our development agenda through the national SDG 18, lives saved from UXO. Removing UXO is not merely a technical task. It's about restoring fundamental safety and securing agricultural land and reclaiming development opportunity for our communities. Building on this commitment, the Lao PDR proudly hosted the third review conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions early this month. in Vientiane under the theme, accelerating progress towards a world free from the threat of cluster munitions. Our presidency demonstrated that mine action is an indispensable foundation for poverty reduction, human dignity and sustainable development. Mr. President, as a Secretary General, Antonio Guterres prepared to complete his distinguished tenure at the help of our organization, the government and the people of the Lao PDR wish to express our profound appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for his principled leadership, moral clarity and unwavering dedication to the United Nations. A true and trusted friend of the Lao PDR and fellow peace-loving developing nations across the global South. Secretary-General Guterres will be warmly remembered for his tireless advocacy for international financial architecture reform, climate justice, sustainable development financing, and the digital and dignity of the countries in special situation. His legacy of solidarity and bold championing of equity would continue to inspire our collective multilateral effort for years to come. Mr. President, in conclusion, the Lao PDR firmly believes that the United Nations remain the essential home of global cooperation. No single nation can overcome today's complex global challenges alone. Let us unite our collective strength, renew our trust in multilateralism, and work together to build a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous world where no nation and people is left behind. I thank you.