1. SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015 SWG-ARD Meeting June 23, 2015 Secretariat’s presentation ---------- Mr. Soudchay Nhouyvanisvong Director of the Division of International Cooperation (DIC) Department of Planning and Cooperation (DoPC)

2. 2015 High Level Round Table Meeting (HL-RTM) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015  RTM planned at the end 2015, depending on high level participants’ availability; Note that the latest tentative date communicated (yesterday) by the RTP Secretariat is the 25 November 2015. The field visit would take place on 23 and 24 November;  Guidance note for the preparation for the 2015 RTM was finalized in May 15, 2015 and posted on our Website: http://swgard.maf.gov.la/ ;http://swgard.maf.gov.la/  The main focus of the 2015 RTM is on the “Means of the implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (8 th NSEDP 2016-2020)”.

3. 2015 High Level Round Table Meeting (HL-RTM) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015 Specially, it aims to provide a forum of genuine dialogue, highlighting on:  The final assessment of 7 th NSEDP’s key achievements, lessons learnt and key priorities/goals of the 8 th NSEDP;  Policy adjustments and necessary measures as well as indicative resource requirements for the effective implementation of the 8 th NSEDP and for enabling Lao PDR to meet the LDC graduation criteria by 2020;  Unfinished business of the MDGs in Lao PDR and how the country is pursuing its continuation in light of the roll out of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);  Key achievements and lessons learnt of the last 15 years of the country implementation of development cooperation and effectiveness principles and the ways forward.

4. 2015 High Level Round Table Meeting (HL-RTM) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015 The Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VDPEDC) is being developed as an extended version of the current VD. It will focus on development effectiveness which aims to further strengthen and enhance the national partnership for mobilizing the means of implementation of the 8 th NSEDP. The VDPEDC should be endorsed during the HL RTM and will:  Build on existing commitments and governance structures, ensuring that new initiatives reinforce previous successes of the Vientiane Declaration and Country Action Plan – VDCAP (2006-2015);  Reinforce coherence in the implementation of a universal post‐2015 agenda, leveraging resources across diverse funding mechanisms;  Strengthen governance and accountability framework which provides for multi‐stakeholder engagement.

5. 2015 High Level Round Table Meeting (HL-RTM) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015 Other substantive expected inputs:  The Development Finance and Aid Assessment (DFAA) study that was commissioned since the last quarter of 2014. Findings were shared with relevant stakeholders for validation in March 2015. It is envisaged that the DFAA final report will be published during the second half of 2015, and will help to inform the analysis of changing ODA landscape for the country and how the Lao PDR can adjust cooperation policy accordingly;  A reflection on the RTP experience and the functionality of the SWG mechanism is planned and a report should be produced by the end of August. In this regards all ideas and recommendations from our members would be welcome; Meeting in Thalat is planned on the 2 nd & 3 rd of July details will be sent tomorrow by MPI - RTP Secretariat.  The RTP Secretariat recommends each SWG to identify key messages at sectoral level which could be used to stimulate discussions during the High Level Round Table Meeting.

6. 2015 High Level Round Table Meeting (HL-RTM) SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015 Preparation process for the 2015 HL RTM / SWGs expected contribution:  Follow up of previous year RTM/RTIM recommendations:  Prepare and finalize the follow up matrix - shared for comments following the previous SWG meeting, very little feedback from members;  Prepare progress report against indicators and targets as specified by the follow up matrix (Early September);  Thematic studies carried out by SWGs (if any);  Series of SWG consultations/meetings;  Development cooperation exhibition (side event);  All SWGS are expected to showcase their work throughout the years, with a particular highlight of best-practice case/stories/methodologies that demonstrates practical applications of effective partnerships between the GoL and DPs;  Each SWG will have a speaker’s Corner at their booth on the RTM day;  Both NPAs and INGOs will have an opportunity to show case their work through each SWG.

7. Miscellaneous SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015  The Agricultural Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision to 2030 (ADS 2025) was completed and approved by the Government – Signed by the PM on the 20 th of February 2015;  The full version in Lao is available on the SWG-ARD website (http://swgard.maf.gov.la). The MAF will communicate on the English version when completed;http://swgard.maf.gov.la  It may be relevant to also consider the ADS 2025 investment plan in order for the DPs to align with it and possibly fill the gaps. That could be done through the SWG-ARD if some members are willing to lead this exercise, and would then represent a major contribution to the RTM;  Reminder: All SWG-ARD members are encouraged to contribute / make presentations during SWG meetings. Propositions should be sent to the secretariat and will be discussed and approved by the SWG-ARD chair, co- chairs and core members.

8. SWG-ARD Structure - Update SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015

9. Thank you SWG-ARD, some contacts and relevant links (June 2015) Contacts Secretariat SWG-ARD:swgard.secretariat@gmail.comswgard.secretariat@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Uplands:nudpnpco@gmail.comnudpnpco@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agri-Business: subswgab@gmail.comsubswgab@gmail.com Secretariat SSWG Agro biodiversity: abd.sswg@gmail.comabd.sswg@gmail.com Coordinator Policy Think Tank:khamphou_p@hotmail.comkhamphou_p@hotmail.com MAF-DIC Mail:laomafdici@yahoo.comlaomafdici@yahoo.com RTP Secretariat:rtpsecretariat@gmail.com Web sites SWG-ARD:http://swgard.maf.gov.lahttp://swgard.maf.gov.la Round Table Meeting: http://www.rtm.org.lahttp://www.rtm.org.la Ministry of Agriculture:http://www.maf.gov.lahttp://www.maf.gov.la NAFRIhttp://www.nafri.org.lahttp://www.nafri.org.la NUDP Website: http://www.nudplao.orghttp://www.nudplao.org SWG-ARD / Vientiane / June 23, 2015