Education, skills key to graduation from LDC status
Moving out of Least Developed Countries status requires raising people’s education and skill level as well as improving their health. The matter was stated by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury during the conference on launching related issues, held in Vientiane on December 13. Stamping out of the LDC list also obliges raising their income in a sustainable manner, which eventually results in a higher level of human development, Dr Kikeo said. Laos’ 5th National Human Development Report and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development´s Least Developed Countries Report 2016 were also launched by UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Laos, Ms Kaarina Immonen. Since deciding on the goal of graduating from Least Developed Country status at the 6th Party Congress in 1996, the Lao government has focused on the criteria for graduation in the country’s main strategic plans, according to the UNDP. With the intention to support the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2016-2020) and the Socio-Economic Development Strategy until 2025, the 5th National Human Development Report focuses on ways to ensure smooth graduation from Least Developed Country status.
