The sixth session of the 12th National Assembly convened in Hanoi on Oct. 20, putting on the table vital issues related to the country’s sustainable development in the context of the global economic recession.

Addressing the opening ceremony, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the major difficulties and challenges to the country’s future sustainable development, stemming from the global economic crisis and the abnormal changes of the climate.

Highlighting the whole nation’s efforts to prevent an economic recession and maintain rational growth rates, Chairman Trong called for a firmer resolve to surmount obstacles in order to accelerate economic growth in 2010, stabilise the macro economy and ensure social security, creating a foundation for rapid and sustainable development in the coming years.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung presented the Government’s report, accenting emerging issues related to the implementation of the 2009 socio-economic development tasks.

The NA deputies also heard the President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Huynh Dam, summing up almost 1,700 opinions contributed by voters and people nationwide.

The opinions mainly focused on the implementation of the Government’s stimulus packages; labour, employment and people’s living conditions; environmental pollution and food hygiene; urban management and traffic safety; and combating corruption.

The NA’s Economic Committee presented a report on the socio-economic situation in 2009 and tasks for 2010.

The report said that though the country’s economy has averted recession and remained stable, there have been weaknesses in macro-economic management, restraining economic growth, slowing the disbursement of investment capital, and resulting in unsustainable poverty reduction.

The committee set targets for maintaining the macro-economy, preventing high inflation, keeping rational economic growth rates for 2010 in order to create a solid foundation for the following years.

The NA session is scheduled to last for 32 days./.