Vietnam has committed to effectively using assistance from foreign non-governmental organisations (NGO) for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The commitment formed part of the joint statement issued at the end of the two-day international conference on cooperation between Vietnam and foreign NGOs that concluded in Hanoi on November 29.

The statement said support from the international community, especially foreign NGOs, continues to be necessary for Vietnam – a developing country - to deal with challenges in sustainable development, especially poverty reduction, education and vocational training, healthcare, social issues, mine clearing and environmental protection.

Vietnam will further improve the legal environment and facilitate the operation of foreign NGOs and enhance NGO’s approach to data, while calling for a stronger engagement of the private sector and relevant parties in realising national target programmes.

The Government will enhance the supervision and assessment of the management and use of foreign governmental assistance, it said.

Through cooperation with Vietnamese agencies, the foreign NGOs pledged to continue mobilising financial and technical support as well as other resources to assist Vietnam more effectively in poverty reduction and sustainable development, said the statement.

They will design projects and programmes that suit Vietnam ’s needs and development orientations.

Additionally, the organisations will help upgrade the capacity of local partners and encourage the involvement of localities and beneficiaries.

They will multiply and expand the tripartite cooperation model among government, foreign NGOs and Vietnamese partners and beneficiaries.

Both sides vow to continue their efforts to build sustainable cooperation based on mutual understanding, respect, solidarity and friendship between the people of Vietnam and those around the world, the statement said.

During the conference - which drew the participation of 500 delegates from foreign NGOs, cooperation agencies, donors and Vietnamese government offices - attendees lauded Vietnam for implementing sustainable poverty reduction policies and programmes.

The delegates spoke highly of Vietnam ’s efforts in realising its commitments agreed at the previous conference in 2003.

Vietnam and foreign NGOs have nurtured a partnership of efficiency, equality, mutual trust and respect, they stressed.

Through humanitarian and development activities, foreign NGOs and their Vietnamese partners have made remarkable contributions to Vietnam ’s poverty reduction and sustainable development and the enhancement of Vietnamese personnel for the work.

The efforts have also helped transmit Vietnam ’s positive message to the world, and strengthen the friendship between Vietnamese people and other nationalities.

Addressing the closing session, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Working Group for Foreign NGOs Ha Kim Ngoc expressed his belief that with positive outcomes of the conference, the cooperation between Vietnam and foreign NGOs will be further developed, contributing to Vietnam’s poverty reduction and sustainable development.-VNA