The 2013 Human Development Report was launched on Thursday by Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr. Bounthavy Sisouphanthong and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Minh Pham at a ceremony held in the Mercure hotel in Vientiane.

This report has been prepared by Earth Systems Lao (ESL) as part of the Socioeconomic Assessment for a proposed Stora Enso Eucalyptus plantation project (hereafter ‘the Project’). Earth Systems Lao is conducting the social assessment on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme Lao PDR (UNDP Lao PDR).

The Government of Lao PDR's 7th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) is a continuation of the 6th Five-Year Plan and plays an important role in realizing the Ninth Party Congress Resolution. The Plan is regarded as a measure for achieving socio-economic development, industrialization and modernization towards the year 2020.