National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan calls for joint efforts to help the poor  (Photo: Quang Vinh)

At the event, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the Party and Government consider poverty reduction a prerequisite for sustainable growth. She added that it is among the UN’s millennium and sustainable development goals which Vietnam is committed to. Mrs. Ngan said: “The percentage of poor households as defined by multidimensional standards has dropped to 6.7 percent, beating the target set by the NA. This has contributed to Vietnam’s sustainable development. I appreciate enterprises, organizations, and individuals at home and abroad for joining hands to boost economic growth, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Those are good deeds that have improved the lives of needy people.”

As Vietnam has 2.9 million poor and near poor households nationwide, Mrs. Ngan said the road to sustainable poverty alleviation still demands creative initiatives and additional resources.

She called for continued assistance from the business community and individuals at home and abroad – as well as foreign investors and international organizations – for Vietnam’s growth, poverty eradication, and new rural construction efforts.