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On December 20, 2024, the Global Network Seminar was held, and the seminar welcomed H.E. Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Under the theme “The Role of Socio-economic Development Planning in Lao PDR,” H.E. Dr. Outhavong discussed the role of socio-economic development planning in Laos from the perspectives of government policy formulation and implementation.

In the lecture, H.E. Dr. Outhavong introduced the role of national development planning in guiding the socio-economic development of Laos and explained the importance of development planning in achieving the country’s medium- and long-term development goals while balancing economic growth and social development. The lecture also highlighted the importance of coordinating policies across different sectors and effectively allocating limited financial and human resources in translating national development goals into concrete policies and programs.

H.E. Dr. Outhavong further discussed how various development challenges, including sustainable economic growth, human capital development, infrastructure development, and regional disparities, are addressed within national development planning in light of the socio-economic challenges facing Laos. The lecture also emphasized the importance of not only formulating development plans but also continuously monitoring their implementation, assessing policy outcomes, and applying the lessons learned to subsequent planning and policy improvement.

Following the lecture, a Q&A session was held with participating students, featuring an active exchange of views on the socio-economic development challenges facing Laos, the formulation and implementation of development plans, and policy coordination within the government. The seminar provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the role of socio-economic development planning in national development policy from the practical perspective of a senior Lao government policymaker and to consider how development goals can be translated into concrete policies and effective implementation.