Lao PDR currently has 8 Sector Working Groups that bring together representatives from government and donor agencies, and NGOs. The SWGs are forums to discuss and build consensus about development priorities, and improve sectoral aid coordination and effectiveness as set out in the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan. Under the common framework of the Round Table Process, these groups commit to Lao PDR's development efforts in the areas of their expertise under the leadership of the Government of Lao PDR. These groups were formed in June 2005 when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced at the Round Table Information Meeting the Government's wish to merge the existing donor and government working groups. The Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment is the overall coordinating agency of the SWG mechanism. The current groups are:

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Health	Ministry of Heath Japan WHO

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Macroeconomic Issues and Private Sector Development		Ministry of Planning and Investment ADB
Sub Working Group
Trade and Private Sector Development		Ministry of Industry and Commerce Australia/AusAID

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Education	Ministry of Education Australia / AusAID UNICEF

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Infrastructure	Ministry of Communications, Transport, Post and Construction Japan Asian Development Bank (ADB)

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Governance	The Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA) Ministry of Justice United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) SIDA
Sub Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Public service improvement	The Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA) Swiss Development Cooperation ( SDC)
Legal and institutional oversight	Ministry of Justice The European Commission (EC)

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Drug Prevention (Mini-Dublin)	Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision UNIDO Australia/AusAID Japan

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Mine Action	National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Programme in Lao PDR United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

 

Sector Working Group	Chairing Ministry and Co-Chairing Development Partner(s)
Agriculture, Rural Development and Natural Resources	Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries France
Sub Working Group
Irrigation	Department of Irrigation (MAFF) Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
Forestry	Department of Forestry (MAFF) SIDA
Agribusiness	National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES) Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation/SDC)
Upland Agriculture	Department of Planning (MAFF) AFD European Commission/EC

In March 2007, a review of the SWGs was conducted by UNDP upon the request by DIC who at the time was with MOFA. The review provides a number of recommendations to improve the SWG mechanism to better respond to the needs of Government and the development community. The recommendations that came out of this review have been taken into consideration to sharpen the TORs and mandates of each SWG. The review, and subsequent consultation meeting held 11 May 2007, has led to a general consensus that SWGs should be strengthened, government led and more effective. Since early 2008, the DIC has been in consultation with Ministries and Development Partners to facilitate internal reorganization and the strengthening of SWGs. Guidelines in this regard were issued by DIC in light of which SWGs have formulated TORs and established secretariats to support and facilitate the work of SWG. TORs and chairing/co-chairing arrangements have been agreed for most of the SWGs. Next steps will be to prepare and agree on annual work plans for each SWG comprising objectives, planned activities, expected results and indicators for measurement of work progress. The DIC organizes on a as needed basis meetings with the chairs and co-chairs of the SWGs to share information and discuss specific issues.