Annual Meeting between Government and Lao Civil Society Organizations at Provincial level 2024 in Khammouane Province

On March 01, 2024, the Provincial Annual Meeting between Government and Lao Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) took place in Thakhek, Khammouane province, serving as a significant platform to enhance the collaboration, and providing a significant opportunity for the government and CSOs to exchange insights and discuss the achievements of the CSOs during the past years. 

The meeting aimed to present the overall implementation of Lao CSOs in Khammouane and the achievements regarding the rollout of Decree on Associations and Decree on Foundations at district and provincial level in 2023. During the meeting, the Lao CSO Coordination Committee (LCCC) and a local CSO, Konglor-Natane Ecotouristic Association (AEKN) shared their updates on the implementation of their works and activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs presented Decree 238 on Associations. During the meeting, the participants actively engaged in discussions and exchanges regarding the coordination between the government and CSOs, the contributions of CSO work to socio-economic development, and the challenges faced by CSOs in Khammouane.

The meeting was organized by the Khammouane Provincial Department of Home Affairs and chaired by Dr. Keooudone Boudsingkhon, Vice Governor of Khammouane province, highlighted that “CSO is one of important work that government plays a crucial role in managing and facilitating the work of Civil Society Organizations. CSO effectively fulfilled their roles and mandates and received international funding support to implement projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the people of Khammouane Province”. The meeting attended more than 90 participants from local government authorizes, CSOs, Lao CSO Coordination Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs, Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Home Affairs. The meeting was supported by the Programme for Citizen Engagement in Good Governance, Accountability, and Rule of Law (CEGGA II).

The CEGGA Programme is a joint initiative of the Government of Lao PDR and its “Team Europe” partners, Switzerland, Germany and EU. Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been tasked to implement the programme on behalf of Team Europe with MoHA and the concerned Lao implementing partners to achieve the overall objective to increase citizens’ engagement in the national development process of Lao PDR through the promotion of good governance, human rights, and the rule of law.