VIENTIANE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) committee met on Friday to review progress in achieving the SDGs, as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, local Pasaxon newspaper reported on Saturday.
The Lao National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the SDGs and Other Related Tasks for 2026 also considered a draft national report and discussed a proposal to merge the secretariats of three national bodies into a single committee.
In his speech, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone stressed the need to accelerate implementation of the National Development Plan, with particular attention to goals that are behind schedule, progressing slowly or unlikely to be achieved as planned.
He called on ministries and sectors to establish clear responsibilities and targets, strengthen documentation and monitoring, and develop modern databases and evaluation systems to support evidence-based policymaking.
The prime minister highlighted November 2026 as an important milestone for Laos, when the country is expected to be formally recognized by the United Nations as having graduated from LDC status.
Sonexay added that the transition marks an important step towards a new phase of quality and sustainable development, while efforts must continue to maintain progress across all areas. ■