The Second National Symposium on Social Protection in Lao PDR, held in Vientiane on 12 December 2025, focused on digital innovation strategies that strengthen public services and improve accessibility. Organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the event served as a national platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among policymakers, practitioners, and international partners. This year’s theme, “Digitalise, Transform, and Deliver in a New Era,” highlighted the role of technology in modernizing social protection systems.
The Symposium was supported by the ILO–UNDESA Project “Accelerating Universal Social Protection for Achieving the SDGs and Ending Poverty,” with financial backing from the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund. It coincided with the conclusion of the National Social Protection Strategy 2020–2025 and preparations for the 2026–2030 Strategy, where digitalization is expected to play a pivotal role in improving governance, service delivery, and the identification of vulnerable populations.
Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Phosay Sayason, emphasized the growing momentum of social protection in Lao PDR since 2020, noting that modern, connected systems are crucial for enabling all citizens to access basic health and welfare services efficiently. Digital transformation, he said, has become essential for effective public service delivery.
Recent initiatives demonstrate the government’s commitment to modernizing social protection. Key advances include the development of a Social Registry to enhance the identification of poor and vulnerable households and the creation of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to enable real-time data exchange between public databases. A highlight of the Symposium was the official launch of Lao PDR’s first social security mobile application.
Xiaoyan Qian, Director of the ILO Country Office for Lao PDR, highlighted the significance of the app for informal workers and rural populations, allowing easier access to social services while simplifying registration and improving compliance. The platform also provides pathways for individuals to transition from social welfare programs into contributory schemes.
Martine Thérer, acting UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, noted the importance of social protection as a foundation for resilience, equity, and sustainable development. The Symposium also engaged youth through a pre-event at the National University of Laos, where students presented innovative ideas for social assistance delivery, with winning proposals showcased to policymakers.
The event underscored Lao PDR’s progress in building a modern, inclusive, and digitally-enabled social protection system, setting the stage for continued innovation and improved service delivery in the years ahead.
