Lao PDR

PAR & Decentralisation in LAO PDR: Problems and

Prospects(Presentation Bratislava Conference, 20th April

2004)

Presentation by: Bikash Ranjan Dash

Programme Analyst Public Administration Reforms

& Decentralisation

Lao PDROutline

• PAR and Decentralisation programme in Lao PDR

• Issues and Challenges• Lessons learnt

Lao PDR

Lao PDR GovernmentPrime Minister

Institutional Framework for GPAR Programme

Deputy Prime Minister (Governance)

Vice-Minister to the PMO

Line Ministries & CPC

Department of Public Administration and

Civil Service

UNDP GPAR II Project

Pilot Provinces

Other (new) provincial pilots

GPAR Luang Prabang

GPAR - UNV

GPAR Saravan

Proposed Governance steering committee

MoF/Fiscal Decentralisation

Lao PDRIssues and Challenges

• Formally, a highly centralised government system• However, centre of the govt. system is weak• PAR, Decentralisation and Economic Governance

sectors are closely linked• Problem of coordination• Lack of capacity• Whether Fiscal decentralisation or centralisation?

Lao PDR

Lessons learnt• Phase of conceptualisation, Implementation-

Trust building( Same in transitional countries), UNDP main player in Lao PDR

• Political will- Movers and shakers• Model- Provincial pilot, what next?• Policy implications- System needs to be in place-

Steering committee?• Linkage with other stakeholders• Difficult to separate PAR and Decentralisation

Lao PDR

Decentralization in Laos

• Formally, a highly centralized government system

• However, center of this government system is weak.

Lao PDR

Decentralisation Policy Framework

• PM Decree No. 01 (2000); No. 192 (1999)

• Governance Policy Paper (2003)

• Law on Government (modified 2003)

• Law on Local Administration (2003)

• Civil Service Statute (2002)

• Revision of Constitution (2003)

• NPEP (2003)

Lao PDR

Governance and Public Administration Reforms (GPAR) Programme Implementation: Department of Public Administration & Civil Service (DPACS) in the PMO

Scope

Policy formulation

Coordination and resource mobilization

Decentralization pilots

Review and restructuring of Ministries to support decentralization

Capacity Building

Lao PDR

Governance and Public Administration Reforms (GPAR)

Programme• Decentralization pilots: GPAR Luang Prabang;

UNV

• Scope

‐ HRM; FM; Planning; Capacity development; Model Office environment

‐ Linkages: GPAR Central, ADB (NAS), ILO (PIMS; Civil Service database), SIDA (radio)

‐ Policy implications: Job descriptions; NAS; Decentralized planning;

‐ Improved service delivery: through training; piloting of One Stop Shops and District Reorganization (new)