Vietnam has delivered a good performance in implementing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but it should make more efforts to fulfill the goals by the end of 2015 as scheduled, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Southeast Asian country said Monday.

>> Vietnam hailed for achievements in MDGs The resident coordinator, Pratibha Mehta, made the statement in a press release issued on Monday, in which she said today marks 500 days to the conclusion of eight MDGs, which aim to galvanize a global effort to alleviate poverty and improve lives around the world. In the year 2000, Vietnam, like countries worldwide, adopted eight MDGs as an ambitious 15-year roadmap to fight poverty, hunger and disease; protect the environment; and expand education, basic health and women’s empowerment, the press release said. By any standards, Vietnam’s progress at national level has been impressive, Mehta said in the press release. Over the past two decades, some 30 million people have been lifted out of poverty, as many girls are now in school as boys, and more mothers are surviving childbirth and children are leading healthier lives, the resident coordinator said. In addition, women account for nearly half of the national labor force, and progress is being made on the environment and trade, she added.  However, she pointed out that besides the remarkable progress there is still much work to be done. For example, she said, goals on HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnership are still lagging behind, while climate change also poses a severe threat to development gains. There is dramatic progress on MDG achievement at national level in Vietnam, but chronic poverty and inequalities in opportunities persist particularly among ethnic minorities and new forms of poverty and vulnerabilities are emerging such as elderly people, malnourished children, female headed households and non-registered migrants, the press release said.   “As I’ve travelled around Vietnam I have had the chance to meet some of those left behind, including young migrants in urban areas, older women in rural areas, widows and female-headed households,” Mehta said. “I’ve been struck by their resourcefulness and courage, but too many still struggle against extreme poverty and inequality,” she said, adding now is the time to accelerate MDG Momentum. Vietnam, as well as many other countries, should take more action in thefollowing areas to fuel progress:  Firstly, continue to make strategic investments in health, education, energy and sanitation, with a special focus on empowering women and girls, which boosts results across the board. Secondly, focus on the poorest and most vulnerable communities and social groups that have the toughest road to progress despite their best efforts. Thirdly, keep its financial promises. These are difficult budgetary times. But budgets should never be balanced on the backs of the weakest individuals in society.  And fourthly, deepen cooperation with governments, the private sector, and other networks around the world that have helped make the MDGs the most successful global anti-poverty push in history.  “The challenges are daunting. Yet we have many more tools at our disposal than at the turn of the millennium – from the expanding reach of technology to the growing understanding of what works and what does not. Action now will save lives, build a solid foundation for sustainable development far beyond 2015 and help lay the groundwork for lasting peace and human dignity,” the press release quoted UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as saying.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!