Representatives from the business community in Vietnam on November 27 vowed to protect children’s rights by supporting their parents as caregivers and ensuring their safety in all business activities.

The delegates, who were attending a seminar hosted by UNICEF and its partners, agreed to 10 principles of respecting and supporting children’s rights during an event called ZEROTalks.

They also agreed to promote youth employment and talent generation to maintain a motivated and skilled workforce.

Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF representative in Vietnam, said while the country has made impressive economic progress in recent years, it must ensure that its progress extends to its children.

ZEROTalks refers to a series of talks and seminars hosted by UNICEF Vietnam for exploring ways the public and private sectors can work together to ensure no child is left behind.

The talks are part of the Believe in ZERO campaign, launched in Vietnam in 2013, which aims to bring the number of children excluded from Vietnam’s recent economic growth down to zero.

About 100 children in Vietnam die every day of preventable causes, and close to 70 percent of Vietnamese children have experienced some form of violence, according to UNICEF estimates.

“We are here to take part in the ZEROTalks but this is not only about talking, it’s time to take action for children,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam in his opening remarks.

“In addition to charitable giving, the business sector should incorporate the rights of children into its business strategies,” he added.-VNA