Helen Clark,
UNDP Administrator and
Chair of the United Nations Development Group
Remark at the UN Day
Reception 2010
Vientiane, Lao PDR
19 October 2010
Your Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith,
Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Representatives of United Nations Organisations, Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be with you this evening to celebrate UN Day 2010.
This is a special year for the United
Nations in Laos. It marks both the 55th anniversary of the Lao - United Nations partnership and the 65th birthday of the United
Nations itself.
I am pleased to see so many government counterparts and development partners joining us tonight
to celebrate our partnerships, which have developed in Laos through a history of mutual trust and friendships. Through such
partnerships the United Nations can live up to the vision laid out by its founders 65 years ago.
I had the pleasure
of meeting again today with His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Laos, and other senior Ministers and officials of the Lao
PDR Government. Our discussions made it clear to me that the UN is indeed a trusted partner, based on 55 years of support
for development.
When the United Nations charter was signed in 1945, there were only 50 members of the UN. Today
192 countries are members.
But the growth in membership is not the only thing which has changed. To stay relevant
over 65 years, the UN has continually innovated. The organization I lead – the UN Development Programme - did not come into
existence in its present form until 1966. Member states agreed then that development was central to the UN’s mandate, and
that development assistance was most effective when coupled with reliable technical assistance.
Geopolitical and
economic shifts in power affect development co-operation as they affect international political and economic relations. Our
world is increasingly multi-polar – with more important global players emerging in the South. Their contributions to development
are growing fast, alongside the highly valued contributions of the traditional donors which have made such a difference to
so many and continue to do so, including here in Laos.
As well, international NGOs, mega philanthropic organisations,
and multinational companies are all playing significant roles alongside traditional donors and multilateral organisations.
South-South Co-operation brings new opportunities for exchange of experiences, new sources of development finance, and additional
chances for mutual gain through trade.
In this context, the UN’s development system must continue to adapt by
strengthening and expanding its partnerships. For the UN Development Group overall, increased co-ordination between agencies
is also vital.
With the strong support of the Government of the Lao PDR, our UN Country Team is working to deliver
in a more co-ordinated way, to make us a better development partner.
A strong UN Country Team is important as
nations endeavor to address the fallout from the global recession, the impacts of climate change, the lingering effects of
the food and fuel crises, and the spread of deadly diseases. The impact of these global challenges threaten development progress,
and are felt acutely by the poorest and most vulnerable, people who did the least to cause them.
Given this context,
business as usual is no longer enough.
As called for by an unprecedented number of heads of state and government,
at last month’s Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York, we need to rise to the occasion both to accelerate progress
towards the MDGs and address the challenges which threaten to derail such progress.
I was especially grateful
that his Excellency, the President and the Lao delegation were able to attend the MDG Summit and join me and my UNDP colleagues
at an event which highlighted Laos’ efforts to accelerate progress towards the MDGs.
The President showcased
Laos’ experience in aligning its 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan to what it will take to achieve the MDGs. Laos
is also one of the first countries to use the MDG Acceleration Framework – to bring partners together to identify the specific
interventions which can advance gender equality in primary education and beyond.
With strong and enlightened
leadership, the co-ordinated and reliable support of development partners, and the engagement of its citizens, I am confident
that Laos can reach the MDGs.
The UN is proud to continue to be your ally and partner in this effort.
I had a chance to meet with young Lao people during my visit to the Vientiane Youth Centre earlier today. They shared with
me the work they are doing to provide relevant health services to people of their age. Their expectations and ambitions were
high, as were their energy and eagerness to ensure that young people have the information they need to make safe choices about
their lives.
