Addressing the opening ceremony of the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE 6), opened today in Ha noi, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said that ASEAN and each member-country should have stronger commitments and investments in rural development and poverty alleviation.
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PM Nguyen Tan Dung: Vietnam considers rural development and poverty reduction as a pillar in its strategy on sustainable growth and development
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The Vietnamese PM lauded the Meeting’s practical theme of "A unified ASEAN for anti-poverty in the context of economic crisis", emphasizing that it reflectsthe high determination to boost rural development and poverty reduction in order to mitigate socially negative impacts fo the current crisis.
“Vietnam considers rural development and poverty eradication as a pillar in its strategy on sustainable growth and development”,stressed the leader.
He informed that, for years, has outlined and realized many policies, programs, and projects on rural development as well as assisting disadvantaged areas and poor households.
The rate of poor households in Vietnam, according to international criteria, was cut down from 58% in 1993 to 12.5% in 2008 and the country fulfilled the UN Millennium Development Goal for poverty reduction ahead of schedule.
Vietnam has also adopted an important policy on "agiruclture, peasantry and countryside" in order to build up a modern agriculture, develop rural areas and better rural residents’ life.
To cope with new challenges and minimize impacts of the global financial and economic crisis, stated PM Dung, closer cooperation among ASEAN governments will be an important tool.
“Each country and the Association as a whole should have stronger commitments and investments in rural development and poverty eradication, at the same time mapping out proper measures and steps to realize the set goals”, said the host leader.
He suggested ASEAN continue implementing its initiatives on rural development and poverty alleviation; expand regional cooperation, mobilize more resources for development and narrow the Association’s internal gaps; and share experience of rural development with Northeast Asia partners.
The PM was convinced that, with its joint efforts, ASEAN will successfully build up a dynamic, creative and prosperous community. And programs and plans of action on rural development and poverty reduction will be fruitfully implemented.
The Vietnamese Government and people pledge to allocate their human and material resources for regional cooperation in the field of rural development and poverty eradication, affirmed PM Dung. /.