VIENTIANE CAPITAL, 23, October 2026 at Ministry of Finance. The Government of the Lao PDR and its development partners will hold the Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) 2026 on 19 November 2026 in Vientiane Capital, under the theme “Prioritizing Strategic Financing for NSEDP 2027: Ensuring a Smooth Least Developed Country Transition.” As part of the meeting, two high-level panel discussions will focus on Accelerating the Path to Upper-Middle Income Status through Human Capital Development and Sustainable Economic Transformation. The RTIM 2026 takes place shortly before Lao PDR’s scheduled graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status on 24 November 2026. It offers the Government and development partners an opportunity to review the first year of implementation of the Tenth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (10th NSEDP), assess emerging economic challenges, align development cooperation priorities for 2027, and reaffirm collective commitments to a smooth, resilient and sustainable transition beyond LDC status.
Two Panels, Two Critical Reform Areas
The two panel discussions will be held in parallel during the morning session, following presentations on (1) the achievements of the 2026 NSEDP, 2027 priorities and the areas most in need of budgetary support, and (2) Lao PDR’s graduation from LDC status and priorities for the transition period. Each panel will run for 60 minutes and will not use PowerPoint presentations. Participants may take the floor without pre-registration, with interventions limited to three minutes.
Panel 1: Accelerating the Path to Upper-Middle Income Status through Human Capital Development
This panel will assess current performance in education, health, labor skills and social protection, and identify priority actions, investments and financing solutions for 2027, with a focus on education, health and social protection financing, and on ensuring long-term sustainability. Panelists are expected to include representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (Department of Employment), the National University of Laos, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Health (Department of Planning and Finance) and the United Nations. The panel will be moderated by a representative of the World Bank.
Panel 2: Accelerating the Path to Upper-Middle Income Status through Sustainable Economic Transformation
This panel will review progress on sustainable economic transformation and explore how to close the financing gap, strengthen MSME competitiveness, promote trade and exports, attract high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI), increase revenue and stabilize the national currency. Panelists are expected to include representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MSME Promotion Department), the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of the Lao PDR (Monetary Policy Department), the Agriculture Promotion Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The panel will be moderated by Dr. Latdavanh Songvilay of the Macroeconomic Research Institute, Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences.
Key Issues for Discussion
The discussions will address three broad areas:
- Fiscal and monetary stability – enhancing revenue generation, curbing expenditure, narrowing the financing gap and stabilizing the national currency;
- Economic competitiveness – boosting MSME competitiveness, promoting trade and exports, improving the investment environment and attracting quality FDI; and
- Long-term resilience – investing in human capital and driving key actions to support Lao PDR’s sustainable economic transformation as it graduates from LDC status and beyond.
Speakers will also consider domestic resource mobilization, job creation, investor confidence, and the more effective use of official development assistance (ODA), blended finance, private sector engagement and innovative financing mechanisms, in line with the priorities of the 10th NSEDP and the Vientiane Declaration (VD III, 2026–2035).
Expected Outcomes
The panels aim to provide a platform for in-depth dialogue between the Government and development partners, and to generate practical, strategic recommendations on early implementation of the 10th NSEDP, 2027 financing priorities, and the human capital and economic transformation measures needed to ensure a smooth LDC graduation. Immediately after the sessions, the key recommendations from each panel will be summarized and presented by the respective Deputy Ministers to the afternoon plenary session, with support from the Round Table Process Secretariat.
About the Round Table Process
The Round Table Process is the Government of the Lao PDR’s principal mechanism for dialogue and coordination with development partners on national development priorities and development cooperation. Sector Working Groups, including line ministries and development partners, are invited to take part in the discussions.
For further information, please contact:Mr. Viriya Phounsiri, Deputy Director of International Organization Division, International Finance and Cooperation Department, Ministry of Finance Tel: +856 20 5655 9655 Email: [email protected], [email protected]
