Chairman of the National Assembly’s Ethnic Council Ha Ngoc Chien (R) and Director-General of the South African Department of Traditional Affairs Mashwahle Diphofa at their working session (Photo: VNA) Pretoria (VNA) – Chairman of the NationalAssembly’s Ethnic Council Ha Ngoc Chien is leading a delegation from thecouncil to pay a working trip to South Africa from December 2-6.
At a working session with the host country’s Department of Traditional Affairson December 3, both sides exchanged information about organisational structuresand functions of the state agencies in charge of the ethnic affairs,socio-economic situation of the vulnerable groups, existing policies oneconomic development, education, healthcare, culture, and protection of forestresources.
They also shared experience in attracting investment to areas resided by ethnicminority groups as well as easing poverty in the localities.
Chien told the South African side that Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groupsliving together, affirming the Vietnamese Party and State have been consistentwith the policy of equality, unity and mutual respect for shared developmentamong all the ethnic groups.
He also highlighted Vietnamese policies to branch out socio-economicdevelopment in the ethnic areas as well as narrow the development gap among thecommunities.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the South African Department of Traditional AffairsMashwahle Diphofa said racial discrimination has no place in South Africa - ademocratic nation which is working to ensure human rights as well as politicaland social equality for all citizens.
The official shared his country’s support policies forvulnerable groups, including their rights to join socio-political activities,protect local culture and knowledge, as well as access to basic services, amongothers.
On December 4 and 5, the delegation will have working sessions with SouthAfrican National Assembly, and authorities of Western Cape province’s Cape Towncity./.
VNA
