UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta has stated that the United Nations and partners stand ready to help Vietnam achieve its priority goals for national development.

Mehta took centre stage at the Vietnam Development Partnership Forum in Hanoi on December 5, the first of its kind, reflecting a shift in Vietnam’s status as an aid recipient to a development partner.

With its millennium development goal achievements and rising status as a global development partner, Vietnam plays a pivotal role in designing the post-2015 development agenda, she noted.

Meanwhile, World Bank (WB) Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa hailed the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to forge a highly-competitive economy with healthy market regulations over the past five years while sustaining growth and macroeconomic stability, curbing inflation and ensuring social welfare for all.

According to her, Vietnam should come up with new policies to rapidly and sustainably reduce poverty and generate growth in line with environmental protection.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung talked with foreign guests about poverty reduction in ethnic communities, environmental protection, the overhaul of State-owned enterprises and tackling corruption.
He vowed to consider adding their practical ideas into socio-economic development mechanisms and policies.

The leader said in order to achieve next year’s growth forecast of nearly 5.8 percent and effectively restructure the economy, Vietnam will focus on three strategic breakthrough phases of perfecting market economy institution, mobilising all possible resources for an infrastructure ramp-up and training quality human resources.

Simultaneously, the country will adopt available means to ensure social wellbeing by generating new jobs and reducing poverty, especially in ethnic minority and underprivileged areas.

The public and media’s role will be at the forefront of the fight against corruption while top officials will have to assume a stronger sense of responsibility.

The Government leader promised better regulations so as to protect natural resources alongside dealing with climate change, rising sea levels and natural disasters.

Vietnam will do its best to fulfil set goals and hopes for more assistance in policy consultancy, technical and resource support, keeping the country on course to rapid and sustainable development.

Themed “Establishing a New Partnership: Looking Towards Competitive, Comprehensive and Sustainable Growth”, this year’s event attracted around 300 delegates from 20 ministries, agencies and localities as well as international and non-governmental organisations.

Co-chaired by Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh and Director Kwakwa, the forum will focus its discussions on poverty reduction in ethnic communities, the private sector’s involvement in clean water supplies and sanitation, better efficiency of the environmental management system, and competitiveness via skills improvement and vocational training.-VNA