It has been started since 1983. The continuing and dynamic Round Table Process was launched in Lao PDR in the year 2000.

The objective of the RTP is to provide an inclusive platform for the Government of Lao PDR and all relevant development stakeholders including central and local governments, Development Partners (DPs), civil society, the private sector and representatives of parliaments and trade unions among others to exchange dialogue on the key national development agendas, mobilize resources and ensure effective coordination and cooperation, evaluation/assessment, monitoring and reporting.

The RTP has contributed to the implementation of the successive NSEDPs by converging all efforts of various development actors on pressing development issues, and to the formulation of the NSEDPs by incorporating input from diverse stakeholders so that the NSEDP can encompass the development needs of the country and guide the direction of development in Lao PDR.

The RTP is guided by the globally agreed principles on effective development cooperation defined by Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC), including host government ownership of development priorities, focus on results, inclusive partnerships and transparency & mutual accountability, which have been incorporated into the Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VD) and its country action plan (VDCAP).

High-Level Round Table Meetings (HL-RTMs) are organized every 5 years at the central level through reviewing plans, strategies and programs of the Government of Lao PDR with various development stakeholders. Round Table Implementation Meetings (RTIMs) are organized once a year in the intervening years of the HL-RTM either at the central or provincial level as appropriate.