Lao PDR – Avian Influenza Project

Country Director, Lao PDR, World Bank

September 12, 2006; Vientiane

 

H.E. Mr. Cheuang Sombounkhan, Minister of Prime Minister’s Office;

H.E. Dr. Ponmek Dalaloy, Minister of Health;

H.E. Mr. Sitaheng Ratsaphon, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry;

H.E. Mr. Chansy Phosikham, Minister of Finance;

H.E. Mr. Makoto Katsura; Embassador of Japan;

H.E. Mr. Phongsavath Boupa, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ms. Olivia Yambi, UN Resident Coordination AI UNDP;

Mr. Sandro Cerrato, Charge d’Affaires of EC;

Members of Government;

Dear UN colleagues and distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

As you are aware, efforts in controlling and preventing avian and human influenza, if they are to be successful, require a multi-disciplinary approach to integrate technical, social, economic, political, policy and regulatory issues that must be addressed in a coordinated approach.  The Government of Lao PDR, in collaboration with development partners, has prepared an integrated National Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness Plan which has been guided by global strategies put forward by the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health.  The Plan includes activities with short- and medium-term impacts, such as improving surveillance systems in both agriculture and health, supporting systems development, among others; the Government’s role in implementing the Plan is crucial. 

 

The preparation of the integrated Plan, and Government’s establishment of the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office, reporting to a multi-sectoral National Committee for Communicable Diseases Control, should help ensure a coordinated response, collaboration among sectors, and a mechanism for ensuring external support is coordinated and not duplicative.   

 

The support which is being provided by the World Bank is in line with one of the key objectives of the Country Assistance Strategy, namely to strengthen the country’s public financial management systems, and improve access to and the quality of health and education services.  The grants will contribute to making reforms in the animal health system, helping ensure that the poor and vulnerable can benefit from quality public health care, and helping Government use public financial resources effectively to respond in the best possible way to the avian and human flu situation, as well as assisting avert a possible human pandemic.

 

It is a pleasure to be here today to sign three Agreements in support of Government’s Plan, which represents financing support through the World Bank.  These grants comprise funds from the International Development Association, from the Japanese Policy and Human Development co-financing window, and from the Avian and Human Influenza Facility, a multi-donor trust fund, administered by the World Bank with the generous commitment of eight donor agencies, including the European Commission. 

 

Given the collaborative way in which the National Plan was developed, the setting of priorities, the identification of comparative advantages for financing, and Government’s commitment, I am confident that this Plan will be implemented in the same collegial manner, and I offer my best wishes for its successful implementation.

 

Thank you,