Governance and the Legal Framework
Institutional capacity strengthening, improved and transparent public financial management, strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing delivery of services to the people of the Lao PDR are priority areas for the Government .
These reforms will help ensure a strong administrative and legal framework to improve delivery of services and raise awareness of legal rights, create a transparent and enabling business environment and contribute to achievement of the MDGs by 2015 and graduation from LDC status by 2020.
Achievements
One of the most significant reforms during the 6th NSEDP was the adoption of the revised Legal Sector Master Plan (LSMP 2020), representing the culmination of several years work. It is a comprehensive statement of the needs of the Lao legal system, provides a series of guiding principles for developing a rule of law state, enhancing access to justice and enabling legal empowerment, and sets out an action plan to help achieve these goals by 2020.
The capacity of the National Assembly to ensure oversight and accountability has been significantly strengthened, and the Assembly has reviewed and passed 11 important laws since December 2008. Importantly, these laws have included the Law on Inspection to monitor the work of the public service, as well as the Anti-corruption Law to improve transparency.
The people’s petition system has been improved, and enquiry missions conducted, and the National Assembly and the Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA) are now playing a lead role in identifying the process of re-establishing local councils.
Several Decrees have also been passed and implemented, including the Decree on Associations approved in 2009, representing an important milestone in the participation of civil society organizations in decision making processes. Further, the Prime Minister’s Resolution on Restructuring District Administrations is providing significant public administration reform improving and enhancing capacity, accountability and transparency.
PACSA also continues on the establishment of a Civil Service Training Center to aid in ensuring trained and qualified civil servants and the network of One-Door-Service-Centres is enhancing improve quality of public service delivery.
Future directions
As part of the Governance Strategic Plan, the Government continues to improve coordination among line ministries, sectors and local authorities, with more than 40 pilot districts integrating and harmonizing their economic-planning and finance sector offices.
The Lao PDR has significantly accelerated its integration into the international legal framework by becoming party to three important treaties—the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, and the Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities.
Directions in the 7th NSEDP includes a focus on implementing prevailing laws, ensuring equality before the Law for the entire Lao population, further strengthening the legal framework to reflect the interests and concerns of citizens, and continuing to adequately address social issues such as poverty, social challenges and corruption.
The Plan will also assist in: ensuring access to legal and judiciary systems, gradually integrating legal frameworks into regions; promoting ownership and encouraging participation in development activities; and providing regular training and updated information for public administrators.