UNDP support for Vietnam’s development (VOV) - Vietnam has achieved tremendous results in poverty reduction, socio-economic development and has come a long way in conquering new challenges in its status as a middle-income nation. United Nations (UN) Country Director in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta says despite huge progress made over the past 20 years, Vietnam still encounters difficulties and needs strong support from international development partners. According to UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, it is vital the country gains experience and good policy consultation on how to cope with the challenges which will arise from equal growth as well as deal with the growing problem of social injustice. UNDP is set to more effectively support balanced growth processes and promote human rights to help Vietnam implement the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) and priorities in the 2011-2020 strategy for socio-economic development and the 2011-2015 plan for socio-economic development. The Vietnamese Government and UNDP are cooperating on areas such as balanced growth, national governance and sustainable development. UNDP in Vietnam is coordinating with other partners to implement a development programme after 2015, based on public opinion. Practical results With support from the UN and other development partners, Vietnam has successfully fulfilled the majority of MDGs, particularly poverty reduction at national level ahead of the 2015 schedule. Vietnam has experienced diverse periods of development in a very short time. From the post-war national re-construction to the current Doi Moi (Renewal) process, it has become an internationally recognised partner and a source of great encouragement for many other nations, Pratibha Mehta notes. In 2012, Vietnam was ranked sixth, globally, for its considerable progress in the implementation of MDGs. However, the country should make greater efforts to ensure qualitative and sustainable growth, socio-economic and human development results. As a partner, UNDP is assisting Vietnam in establishing balanced growth and national programmes for poverty reduction, particularly for ethnic minority groups. Regarding state governance, UNDP has helped Vietnam with law-making processes and law enforcement, to ensure the development of a civil society, combat corruption and promote human rights to make the governance system congruent with the country’s high speed economic development. UNDP has pledged to support Vietnam with appropriate measures for climate change, green growth, energy productivity, effective use of natural resources, environmental management and mitigation of natural disasters. Gender equality and the empowerment of women is also seen as a priority area of UNDP support for Vietnam.-VOV