Government News 10/7 Vietnam contributes to increasing ECOSOC’s role Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of the Vietnam Mission to the UN, has affirmed that Vietnam will positively contribute to intensifying the role of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Nga attended a plenary session and a high-level political forum on sustainable development as part of the ongoing ECOSOC High-level Segment in New York on July 8 focusing on the transition from millennium development goals (MDGs) to SDGs. Nga highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in implementing MDGs. Considering people at the centre of all development policies, Vietnam has reached almost all MDG targets and is transitioning to SDGs. As such, Vietnam will include international goals in its national development programmes, strategies and policies, especially the National Strategy on Sustainable Development, she added. She shared that the successful implementation of the new development agenda requires the will and commitment of all nations, particularly the assistance of developed countries for developing ones. Vietnam also wishes to receive support from other countries to become a member of the ECOSOC in the 2016-2018 tenure. Vietnam, Belarus strengthen technical military affiliation An intergovernmental joint committee on technical military cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus held a working session in Hanoi on July 9 to review collaboration outcomes and set future tasks. At the function, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Truong Quang Khanh highlighted progress made by the joint efforts, particularly in air force and defence. Moving forwards, manpower training, delegation exchanges and the application of advanced military technologies ought to be the focus of their robust cooperation, noted Khanh. Morozo Oleg Vladimirovich, Deputy Chairman of the State Military Industrial Committee of the Republic of Belarus , said his country wants to expand its engagements with Vietnam in the telecommunications sector for the modernisation of the military technical information system. He went on to inform his host that session contents will be useful in preparing for an upcoming Vietnam visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. After the talks, both sides signed a technical military cooperation pact. Lao newspapers cover Party leader’s visit to US The historic visit to the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong grabbed the headlines in major Lao newspapers on July 8 and 9. “Setthakith Sangkhom” (Socio-Economy) – a supplement of the “Pasaxon” (People) newspaper – on July 8 reserved an entire page for photos about milestones in the Vietnam-US relations along with a detailed story about the importance of the visit and spheres of cooperation between the two countries since they normalised their ties in 1995. It wrote that 2015 is a remarkable milestone in bilateral relations as it marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the US’s presence in South Vietnam and 20 years of their relationship normalisation, offering a chance for the countries to enhance their linkages. The story also reviewed the development of the Vietnam-US relations through high-ranking visits and their collaboration at international forums, stressing that they have become friends and relations are being strengthened substantively. The July 8 and 9 issues of the “Lao Phatthana” (Lao Development) newspaper said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s historic visit to the US would help deepen mutual understanding and trust and bring bilateral relations to a new level. In its story, the “Pathet Lao” (Lao Nation) also wrote that the visit illustrated the increasingly intensified relations between Vietnam and the US, adding that the latter valued the Southeast Asian country’s crucial role in the Asian-Pacific region and they were cooperating effectively in various fields. The English version of the Lao News Agency (KPL) on July 9 posted the Vietnam – US Joint Vision Statement, noting that attained achievements were the result of their constructive efforts to overcome the past, deal with differences, and promote shared interested towards the future. Lao newspapers also covered the Vietnamese leader’s activities in the US such as his talks with President Barack Obama at the Oval Office, his attendance to the reception of the first Boeing 787-9, and the signing of cooperation documents. On July 9, the “Vientiane May” (New Vientiane) said during the talks, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Obama agreed to work towards the sustainable, efficient and mutually beneficiary comprehensive partnership for the sake of their countries and the regional and global peace, stability and development. Party calls for better care for AO victims Politburo member and standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh has requested strengthened Party leadership in overcoming consequences of toxic chemicals sprayed by US troops during the war in Vietnam. The Secretariat’s directive was announced at a teleconference in Hanoi on July 9, convened by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation. The Party, State, ministries and agencies have recently issued about 40 documents demanding all possible support be provided to Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and their relatives. The Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA) and its chapters also joined in by providing care and protecting the legitimate rights and benefits of victims, he said. Party committees were asked to thoroughly address environmental pollution in dioxin-contaminated areas and incorporate care provision into social welfare programmes and annual local socio-economic development schemes. In his speech, Anh urged the review of legal regulations on revolutionary heroes, studies on the impacts of toxic chemicals on third generations and ensured care for those exposed to the defoliants, especially the impoverished. On the occasion, he called for continued close coordination among ministries, agencies and the entire political system with a focus on raising public awareness both at home and abroad of the US chemical disaster during the American war in Vietnam and the AO victims’ fight for justice. At the teleconference, participants also reviewed mass mobilisation achievements in the first half of 2015 and set tasks for the rest of the year, including conducting awareness campaigns about Party and State policies on the East Sea issue and the government’s Resolution on socio-economic development. Le Hong Anh urged the realisation of a number of regulations on mass mobilisation, supervision and social commentaries by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and socio-political organisations. The Commission for Mass Mobilisation, VFF and trade union organisations must remain apprised of public opinions during the all-level Party Congresses and gather feedback to submit to the 12th National Party Congress. VNA