Vietnam has nearly fulfilled the Millennium Development Goals to which it committed, according to a report presented at a consultation workshop jointly held in Hanoi on July 8, by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the UNDP.

According to the report, Vietnam has met its goal to reduce its poverty by 50 percent, complete the universialisation of primary education, improve gender equality, decrease child fatalities, improve maternal health, and eliminate diseases like malaria.

 

This was due to many factors, most important of which was Vietnam’s commitment and determination to fulfill its goals by developing the country’s economy, reforming its policies and methods of mobilising development sources, and giving priority to vulnerable and impoverished groups, said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Bich Dat.

 

Christophe Dahuet, country director of UNDP Vietnam, praised Vietnam’s achievements in fulfilling these goals. He added, however, that the report should indicate the challenges still facing Vietnam like the development gap between regions.

 

Workshop participants said that although Vietnam achieved many of its goals in 2008, it needs to make greater effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and protect the environment.

 

Nguyen Tien Phong, head of the UNDP Poverty Reduction and Social Development Division, suggested further measures to ensure economic gains for the poor.