The country partnership strategy (CPS) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Lao PDR, 2017‒2020 aligns with the inclusive and sustainable growth agenda of the Lao PDR’s Eighth Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and ADB’s Strategy 2020 midterm review action plan. It incorporates lessons from past CPSs and their evaluations. It has also benefited from the ongoing work and consultations on ADB’s Strategy 2030.

Under the CPS, ADB operations will focus on (i) improving physical connectivity to catalyze private sector investment in the economy to generate employment and income, (ii) developing skills that support growth in the non-resource sectors and improving access to health services to enhance labor productivity, and (iii) ensuring sustainable natural resource management and climate resilience. Gender equity and governance are crosscutting themes. The CPS will flexibly respond to government priorities as they evolve.