DPM Minh's remarks at UN Interactive Dialogue on Ending Poverty and Hunger

          Mr. Chairman,

Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger is the first among the eight MDGs that we have been striving for. It is indeed the overarching goal and the greatest challenge to sustainable development in each nation. Therefore, I highly appreciate the convening of an interactive dialogue on ending poverty and hunger as a part of the UN Sustainable Development Summit.

We are happy to note that over the last 15 years, more than 700 million people in the world have been freed from extreme poverty. Viet Nam has been recognized as one of the countries that have successfully realized most of the MDGs, most notable among which is the achievement of MDG One 10 years ahead of schedule. Poverty rate according to international standard declined significantly and steadily from 58.1% in 1993 to 28.9%, 14.2% and 8.4% in in 2002, 2010 and 2014 respectively.

Nonetheless, more than 1 billion people in the world are still living in poverty. Sustainable eradication of poverty and hunger remains a challenge to all nations, especially developing countries. From our experiences in realizing the MDGs, we would like to share the following points:

First, it is important to have a more comprehensive approach to ending poverty, quickly shifting from a single-dimensional approach, which is based on traditional income-based measurement, to multi-dimensional approach in order to attain higher targets and ensure sustainable poverty eradication. With this approach, Viet Nam has adopted a new program on poverty eradication which identified five other measurements, apart from income, namely healthcare, education, housing, clean water and sanitation, and access to information.

Second, poverty eradication should be integrated into national development strategies and programmes. At the same time, public awareness needs to be enhanced to foster the capacity of the poor. The States also needs to adopt measures and provide resources to assist vulnerable groups and most disadvantaged regions and communities, especially to improve infrastructure, healthcare and education services, support production, create jobs and increase income. We should follow the principle of giving fish in time of need and the fishing rod later so that they can rise from poverty. It is also essential to encourage the participation of businesses, social organizations and the communities in the eradication of poverty and hunger.

Third, global partnership for development should be promoted to assist developing countries’ efforts to eradicate poverty. In this context, the UN should play the role as an important advisor, facilitator and coordinator. In this spirit, I would like to call upon developed countries to increase development aid and technical assistance to developing ones in the area of eradicating poverty and hunger.

Thank you Mr. Chairman./.