VietNamNet Bridge – United Nations Resident Coordinator to Vietnam John Hendra said that in the future the UN will further help Vietnam better meet socio-economic development needs.

The UN official made the remark in an interview with People’s Army daily on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s becoming a full member of the UN (September 20).

He said: “The UN is very proud to have partnered with Vietnam for 30 years now, and we feel privileged to have witnessed enormous improvements in the lives of Vietnamese people over that time.

“Vietnam and the UN enjoy a privileged partnership, based on trust, mutual respect and 30 years of working together...

“When Vietnam joined the UN in 1977, it was a country struggling after years of war. Since then, and particularly with the launching of "doi moi" reforms, the country has gone through a period of extraordinary change marked by its remarkable success in reducing poverty and building and sustaining very high rates of economic growth. Today it is a new member of the World Trade Organization and well on its way to achieving most, if not all, of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before 2015.”

He continued to say: “Vietnam has impressed everyone with its capacity to sustain high rates of growth in the economy, investment and exports and to effectively translate such growth into progressive social outcomes.

“Vietnam has made enviable progress in poverty reduction and towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. As many visiting international observers have consistently highlighted, Vietnam’s success in poverty reduction and progress towards the MDGs is indeed a model for so many other countries around the world.”

The UN official also warned that challenges remain as in Vietnam’s isolated and ethnic minority areas, poverty levels remain high, while healthcare, water and sanitation and education services are inadequate.

He therefore said: “The key now is helping people stay out of poverty and ensuring that poverty reduction strategies will gradually give way to social policy strategies to address life risks such as ill health, disability, old age and the costs of having and raising children.”

The UN official also said that he was very impressed with the country and people of Vietnam.

“As soon as I arrived in this country I was struck by its incredible dynamism and energy. Rarely have I seen a country so forward-looking and so successful at balancing economic growth with social progress, as measured by the MDGs. For me, Vietnam has also symbolised the importance of strong national ownership – the reforms, the strategy have been truly "homegrown," developed by Vietnamese, for Vietnamese and judged successful by the people of this country. It is a great privilege for my family and I to live in Vietnam during such an exciting and important time in this country’s development.”

(Source: VNA)