Bilateral meeting with H.E. LInkham Duangsavanh, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Bilateral meeting with H.E. LInkham Duangsavanh, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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Rome – FAO Director-General meets Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR
Introduction
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu met today with H.E. Linkham Duangsavanh, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, at FAO headquarters on the margins of the 2024 World Food Forum (WFF).
Cooperation in Critical Areas
The Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted his primary focus on advancing modern agriculture in Lao PDR. He emphasized that the meeting presented a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Lao PDR and FAO in several critical areas, including:
- Food security
- Food productivity
- Engaging the private sector
- Traditional agriculture
- Forestry
- Technological innovation
- Addressing the growing challenges of climate change
Agriculture as the Backbone of Lao PDR’s Economy
The Minister further emphasized that agriculture was the backbone of Lao PDR’s economy, with rural development being a government priority. The Minister also addressed the country’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters such as floods and crop losses, stressing the importance of:
- Youth engagement
- Biodiversity conservation
- Aligning policies with FAO’s objectives
Appreciation for FAO’s Support
Finally, the Minister expressed sincere appreciation to FAO for its ongoing support, particularly through flagship programmes like the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the One Country One Product (OCOP) programme, which have been instrumental in promoting agricultural development in Lao PDR.
FAO’s Recommendations for Lao PDR
The Director-General warmly welcomed the Minister and commended the country for its leadership in achieving significant economic progress despite facing numerous challenges, and suggested that the country could benefit from transitioning to a middle-income country by developing a long-term strategic plan focused on rural economic growth and agricultural development. The Director-General highlighted the OCOP programme as an effective tool for transforming agrifood systems and commended Lao PDR’s decision to implement the initiative at the provincial level.
The Director-General further emphasized two key areas of focus for Lao PDR:
- Building competitiveness in the agricultural sector
- Strengthening rural development to attract investment
He identified these areas as having tremendous potential and stressed the importance of not only developing policies but also enhancing marketing, engaging scientists, and fostering technological innovation.
Exploring Economic Opportunities
The Director-General congratulated Lao PDR on its successful role as host of the East Asia Summit and encouraged the country to explore exporting a signature agricultural product to international markets as a step toward expanding its economic opportunities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses the importance of advancing modern agriculture, food security, and food productivity in Lao PDR. These issues are directly connected to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article highlights the focus on rural development, attracting investment, and strengthening the agricultural sector in Lao PDR. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the challenges of climate change and the efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters in Lao PDR. These issues are connected to SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation and aligning policies with FAO’s objectives. These issues are connected to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
The article highlights the focus on advancing modern agriculture and strengthening the agricultural sector in Lao PDR. Achieving these goals would contribute to doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, as targeted in SDG 2.3.
Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support decent job creation and entrepreneurship
The article emphasizes the importance of rural development, attracting investment, and strengthening the agricultural sector in Lao PDR. These actions align with the target of promoting development-oriented policies that support decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, as targeted in SDG 8.3.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
The article mentions the efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters in Lao PDR, highlighting the importance of building resilience and adaptive capacity. These actions align with the target of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, as targeted in SDG 13.1.
Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
The article emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation and aligning policies with FAO’s objectives. These actions contribute to the target of ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, as targeted in SDG 15.1.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
Source: fao.org
