Vientiane: UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, is set to visit Lao PDR from September 5-10, 2025. This visit marks her second official trip to the country since assuming her role in 2019.
According to Lao News Agency, her first visit in 2022 laid the groundwork for a variety of collaborative initiatives across multiple sectors. The upcoming visit underscores UNDP’s ongoing commitment to assisting the Lao Government in promoting sustainable development. It also aligns with the 60th anniversary celebration of UNDP’s establishment.
Ms. Wignaraja’s itinerary begins in Luang Prabang, where she will visit Nasangwery Village to observe the GEF-funded Integrated Water Resource Management and Ecosystem-based Adaptation project. This initiative aims to reduce flood risk and bolster community resilience to climate change. Meetings with the Mayor of Luang Prabang and local business leaders are planned to explore potential collaborations in areas such as disaster risk management and urban ecosystem restoration.
In addition, Ms. Wignaraja will visit the Luang Prabang One Door Service Centre with provincial authorities, where she will hand over IT equipment to aid in the modernization and digitalization of public services. Her visit in Luang Prabang will conclude with a stop at the UXO Lao Visitor Centre.
In Vientiane, discussions with high-level government officials are scheduled to focus on UNDP’s role in supporting national development priorities, including the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and Lao PDR’s transition from Least Developed Country status.
Ms. Wignaraja will also participate in events celebrating UNDP’s 60th Anniversary, the 15th Anniversary of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and the Launch of Lao PDR’s Presidency of the 3rd Review Conference. Additionally, she will engage in a Dialogue on the Future of Development Financing in Lao PDR and participate in the Launch of the Gender Situational Analysis of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Assemblies.
UNDP has partnered with the Government of Lao PDR and local communities for nearly four decades to support economic growth, poverty reduction, UXO clearance, disaster management enhancement, good governance promotion, and youth participation. This collaboration aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and facilitate Lao PDR’s smooth transition from Least Developed Country status. Ms. Wignaraja’s visit aims to further strengthen this partnership amidst shifting aid priorities and a changing global Official Development Assistance landscape.