Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos): A lower middle-income country with a population of 7.425 million. According to the WHO, Laos is ranked 9th worst performing country (18 road deaths/100,000 population) out of the 23 South East Asian countries. Laos has not acceded any of the 7 UN road safety legal instruments.
During the mission, the Special Envoy met with the following officials towards advocating for safer roads in the country and beyond:
• H.E. Mr. Ngampasong Moungmany, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Government of Laos;
• H.E. Mr. Kingmano Phommahaxay Deputy Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, Government of Laos;
• H.E. Ms. Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the European Union in Laos;
• H.E. Ms. Siv Leng Chhuor, Ambassador of France in Laos;
• Mr. Monexay Laomoaxong, Secretary-General, Lao Youth Union;
• Ms. Ricarda Rieger, Resident Coordinator a.i. and Representative of the UNDP in Laos; Dr. Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo, Representative of the WHO in Laos; Ms. Mariam Khan, Representative of the UNFPA in Laos; and other representatives from the UNCT;
• Mr. Pierre-Yves Jousseaume, Senior Project Manager, UNOPS.
Lastly, the Special Envoy also attended a visit to Vientiane Rescue Center.