7 July 2021, Vientiane- Even prior to the spread of COVID-19, the Lao Government had expressed a growing commitment to the digital transformation agenda. In 2020, however, the pandemic accelerated the shift which created a renewed momentum within the Government to tackle digitalization in various sectors to support the economy, society and livelihoods of the people. With this objective, the Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has therefore on this day, launched the Digital Government Transformation project as a collaboration towards shaping the digital transformation agenda in Lao PDR.

Chaired by H.E. Mr. Bounsaluemsay KHENNAVONG, Vice Minister of Technology and Communications and Mr.  Christophe Bahuet, UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Director Bangkok Regional Hub, the project will help to build digital capacities and strengthen digital infrastructure for better, more inclusive and unified public service delivery. The launch also saw the participation of representatives from the various departments, sectors of line Ministries, and development partners both in person and virtually.

The Government’s vision is to adopt ICT tools across various tiers of administration at the ministries, departments, provinces, districts, and villages in Lao PDR.  Such tools include the SMART Government e-Interfaces to enable easier, speedier, and more inclusive access to public services (in cities as well as villages) through electronic delivery channels.

“This project will contribute to the development of Digital Government Master Plan, Standards Framework of Digital Government as well as the pilot initiatives on Digital Government services in Lao PDR, which will become a significant tool for line ministries and government organizations to digitalize their administration and services” said by H.E. Mr. Bounsaluemsay KHENNAVONG, Vice Minister of Technology and Communications.

More specifically, the project aims to take stock of the digital maturity of government entities, keeping in mind gender disaggregation, identifying opportunities and weaknesses, which will feed into a comprehensive Digital Government Master Plan.  In addition to working closely with the relevant Government agencies, consultations will be held with development partners, private sector and where applicable with the end-users.

“Governments across the world are at varying stages of their digital transformations. The promise of e-Government is to create value, which can take the shape of new work processes, products and services. Adoption of digital can help governments increase efficiency in internal operation, better ways of collaboration among various Government agencies and improve service delivery capabilities,” said Mr. Bahuet.

The MTC has been designated to formulate ICT regulations, policies and plans.  The e-Government Center is mandated to centralize the government’s IT services, manage and develop administration and service software. The Center also manages services related to the access of Government information, businesses, and citizens; train and promote e-Governance. This will require policy coordination, massive infrastructure and capability investment. Moreover, the utmost attention to ethical governance and inclusion considerations to benefit widely and inclusively across society.

For Lao version: ສຳລັບບົດຂ່າວພາສາລາວ

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For more information, please contact:

Ms. Aksonethip Somvorachit, UNDP Communications Analyst,

020 5502 1550, aksonethip.somvorachit@undp.org