Governance is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country's affairs at all levels. Governance should involve three key stakeholders – the state, the civil society and the private sector – as equally represented and valued partners in governing the affairs of a country. World-wide development experiences have shown that governance is a cornerstone for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

As Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Cambodia are in the process of transition to a market-oriented economy and are facing the challenges of regional and global integration, support to governance reforms is one strategic orientation of the Swiss Cooperation in the Mekong Region.

Switzerland assistance to the Mekong Region focuses on improving governance and the development and implementation of laws and policies based in the principles of good governance, democracy, gender equality and human rights. Projects which are implemented in Vietnam and Lao PDR as of 2008 include:

Vietnam:

• Support to the National Legal Aid System in Vietnam.
• Mainstreaming Prevention of Domestic Violence.
• Prevention of Domestic Violence Against Women.
• Promotion of the Engagement of Men and Boys in Domestic Violence Prevention.
• Supporting Public Administration Reform in Cao Bang Project (SPAR-CB).
• ISG Support to harmonization.
• One UN Plan Support to the governance reforms.

Lao PDR:

• Central Government and Public Administration Reform.
• Government and Public Administration Reform in Xieng Khouang.
• Support to the UXO Programme.
• Laos Poverty Mapping and Socio-economic Atlas.