Vietnam, UNICEF mark the 40th anniversary of cooperation Vietnam vows to ensure the rights of and positive well-being for children, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at a ceremony on September 22 in Hanoi.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to mark the 40th anniversary of UNICEF-Vietnam cooperation.
Addressing the event, Deputy PM Dam highly valued the close and trusted cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and UNICEF over recent decades, saying it has contributed to improving the living conditions of Vietnamese people and children in particular.
He also called for further support from UNICEF to Vietnam in the protection and care of children.
For her part, MoLISA Minister Nguyen Thi Hai Chuyen highlighted Vietnam’s achievements on children’s behalf over the past four decades.
Between 1986 and 2014, the mortality rate among children under 5 dropped by 80 percent while the rate of people with access to clean water more than doubled from 41 percent to 92 percent, according to Minister Chuyen.
Most Vietnamese children now have access to education and healthcare services, she said, adding that Vietnam has also witnessed a steep increase in the uptake of polio and hepatitis B vaccines.
UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta spoke highly of the joint commitments between Vietnam and the UN, saying they are relevant and effective for a medium-income nation.
Meanwhile, Director of UNICEF’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (UNICEF EAPRO) Danial Toole expressed his belief that commitments Vietnam has implemented will have most of its children develop strongly and have a bright future.
UNICEF Chief Representative in Vietnam Youssouf Abdel Jelil affirmed that the organisation will continue working with Vietnam to develop relevant policies, mobilise resources and ensure the rights of children, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
A photo exhibition highlighting the 40 years of cooperation between Vietnam and UNICEF was also a part of the ceremony.-VNA
