Signing Ceremony of the Implementation Agreement for CEGGANew page

On 18 January 2018, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Government of Lao PDR, represented by the Ministry of Home Affairs, conducted the signing ceremony for the Implementation Agreement with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH for the Programme on Citizen Engagement for Good Governance, Accountability and the Rule of Law (CEGGA). The event was held under the chairmanship of Vice Minister HE Dr Khammoune Viphongxay and with participation of the Ambassador of the European Union, HE Leo Faber, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, HE Jens Luetkenherm, representatives of Switzerland, and the outgoing and incoming GIZ Country Directors, Dr Thomas Labahn and Dr Wolfgang Hannig.

The CEGGA Programme was agreed between Lao PDR, the European Union, Germany and Switzerland in 2016 with a total contribution of 17 million EUR. The overall objective is to increase citizens’ engagement in the national development process of Lao PDR, through the promotion of good governance, human rights and the rule of law, as laid out in the Government's policies and strategies. The CEGGA Programme cooperates with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and civil society organisations. GIZ has been commissioned to implement the Programme in partnership with its Lao partner institutions.

The government of Lao PDR and GIZ are committed to jointly achieving CEGGA’s specific objectives to promote an environment that enables civil society engagement for sustainable development and good governance, to increase and broaden participation through the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Assemblies, and to enhance the implementation of the rule of law and human rights obligations. Overall, the CEGGA Programme is contributing to the effective implementation of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) 2016-2020, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by the Government of Lao PDR. CEGGA provides the opportunity for the Government of Lao PDR to further advance in its efforts to become a Rule of Law State by 2020. The rule of law and strong and accountable institutions are critical elements to effectively implement the national development strategies, to build inclusive societies, and to achieve the development goals of the country.

After the successful inception phase in 2017, the signing ceremony marks the beginning of the CEGGA Programme’s implementation with a duration from 2017-2020.