Bangkok--12 May--UNISBKK
The UN Resident Coordinator in the Lao PDR, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, congratulated the Government on its new Decree on Associations, which will allow local not-for-profit associations to register and operate as independent entities for the first time.
By November this year Lao citizens will be able to apply to form NGOs, after the Decree on Associations was signed by the Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh. The decree, signed on April 29 2009, will become effective within 180 days.
According to an announcement from State Administration and Development Department Deputy Director General, Mr Ampha Simmasone, who was involved in the decree drafting process, the decree provides a guideline for Lao officials as they consider applications for the establishment of non-governmental associations in Lao PDR. He explained that under the decree, a group of two or more people can request formation of an association. Individuals seeking to establish an association operating in more than one province will be required to register their association with the Public Administration and Civil Service Authority (PACSA). Those seeking to operate within a single province can request the association's establishment from the relevant provincial authorities.
The Department plans to spend the next six months disseminating the decree and setting up organisations in both departmental and provincial administrations to begin the registration of associations in the country, and it anticipates processing of the first applications by the end of 2009.
This important development in Lao civil society was supported through a close partnership between PACSA, Concern Worldwide and UNDP.
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