Implementing the goals for ethnic minority development in the period 2016-2020

On December 9th, in Hanoi, the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, the Government's Committee for Ethnic Minorities, the United Nations in Vietnam, and the Irish Embassy in Vietnam jointly organized the Forum on Ethnic Minority Development with the theme "Implementing the Ethnic Minority Development Goals in Socio-Economic Development Plans for the period 2016-2020."

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Danh Ut, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, stated that since the implementation of the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, after 30 years, Vietnam has entered the group of middle-income developing countries. In particular, ethnic minority areas have seen impressive development, with many major policies and initiatives on poverty reduction and socio-economic development in mountainous and ethnic minority regions being implemented quite well. The material and spiritual lives of the majority of ethnic minorities have gradually improved.

Officials from the Department of Justice guide residents of Cu Pui commune, Krong Bong district, Dak Lak province in understanding legal documents. (Photo: Pham Cuong/VNA)

This demonstrates the profound concern of the Party and the State, of the entire political system, and the shared commitment of the people nationwide and international friends to caring for and participating in the socio-economic development of mountainous areas and ethnic minority regions. This has been widely recognized not only nationally but also highly appreciated by the international community.

Mr. Son Phuoc Hoan, Deputy Minister and Vice Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities, emphasized that the Prime Minister had issued Decision No. 1557/QD-TTg dated September 10, 2015, approving a number of indicators for achieving the Millennium Development Goals for ethnic minorities, linked to the sustainable development goals after 2015.

The issued decision institutionalized the goals, created a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating, and improved the coordination of resources for implementing national programs and strategies supporting ethnic minorities, contributing to the achievement of national sustainable development goals after 2015 and Government Resolution No. 80/NQ-CP on sustainable poverty reduction orientation for the period 2012-2020, as well as the faster and more effective implementation of the ethnic affairs strategy for the period 2011-2020.

Drinking rice wine is an indispensable part of the holidays and festivals of some ethnic groups such as the Thai and Khmu in western Nghe An province.

This decision once again demonstrates the strong determination and commitment of the Vietnamese Government to successfully achieve the Millennium Development Goals, opening up a new level of expectation and, importantly, a commitment to leaving no one behind.

Ms. Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, congratulated the Government and people of Vietnam on the transformative progress Vietnam has made in a very short period of time to achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals. This reflects the tremendous progress Vietnam has made during the Doi Moi (Renovation) period and is largely based on a growth model that benefits the poor and ensures equitable access to public services.

Weaving brocade in Nghia Thinh – a unique cultural feature of the Thai ethnic people in Nghia Dan.

Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Cait Moran stated that Ireland's development cooperation program in Vietnam focuses on poverty reduction for ethnic minorities and is a key priority, central to the development cooperation program with the Vietnamese Government.

On this occasion, partners in the Working Group on Ethnic Minority Poverty Reduction made recommendations to integrate the Ethnic Minority Development Goals into the socio-economic development plan for the period 2016-2020. As employment opportunities expand, localities must strengthen the capacity of ethnic minorities to help them take full advantage of the new opportunities.

The government maintains a leading role in providing public services, especially basic social services in hard-to-reach areas, as well as for ethnic minority groups. Local authorities integrate climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable environmental protection into socio-economic development plans and ethnic minority development policies; improve governance efficiency and citizen participation to enhance policy implementation; and expand partnerships to promote development progress.

According to VNA/VIETNAM+