Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung receives UNDP Administrator Helen Clark (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam deems the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as an important development partner, which has provided practical assistance to the country in poverty reduction, socio-economic development and the realisation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the remarks at his meeting with UNDP Administrator Helen Clark in Hanoi on November 8.

He spoke highly of the UNDP’s role and contribution to the development cooperation, one of the UN’s key pillars, while adding that Vietnam is encountering difficulties in fulfilling MDGs, particularly in environmental protection and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that UNDP will further its activities in Vietnam to assist the country in alleviating poverty, clearing unexploded ordnance left behind from the war, executing national strategies on green growth, and coping with climate change.

He also pledged the Government will continue working closely with the organisation.

Clark valued Vietnam ’s efforts in fulfilling MDGs, especially the One UN Initiative and One UN House, as well as the effective cooperation between the two sides.

She affirmed her organisation will stand by Vietnam in development cooperation, particularly in agriculture, education and healthcare.

Receiving Clark on the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh thanked her for the support of the UN’s organisations, including UNDP, to Vietnam. He also hailed UNDP’s role in fostering MDGs and coordinating with Vietnam and other countries in many programmes.

Meanwhile, Clark highlighted Vietnam’s active and responsible participation in the UN’s activities and the country’s attainments in its socio-economic development.

VNA