Viet Nam praises UN development support HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam was always keen to receive the United Nations and international community's assistance to realise its socio-economic development goals and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The statement was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at a reception in Ha Noi yesterday for Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Co-ordinator for Viet Nam. Dung informed his guest of Viet Nam's achievements in curbing inflation, stabilising the economy and ensuring social welfare. Viet Nam was forecast to maintain this year's growth at 5-5.2 per cent. During the year, the country's rate of poor households was reduced by 1.76 per cent while unemployment stood at 4 per cent, Dung said. He added that the country was focusing its efforts on restructuring the economy, ensuring sustainable growth and social welfare, and creating fair access to healthcare and social services among poor households. The PM said he hoped the UN would help Viet Nam cope with climate change and rising sea levels, and pledged to create favourable conditions for UN representative agencies to operate effectively. Mehta said Viet Nam had been an active and responsible member of the UN since it joined the international organisation 35 years ago. In particular, Viet Nam was recognised as one of the leading countries in implementing the MDGs. The UN would continue to assist Viet Nam to achieve its development goals, Mehta said. — VNS