There are some 26.7 million children, and young people aged from 10 to 24 years old in Vietnam, who account for one-third of the national population and are facing numerous challenges coming from economic insecurity, HIV/AIDS, climate change, mass immigration and rapid urbanisation, the UN Children’s Fund representative told reporters on February 28. 

She said further investment is needed to speed up the fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS and to narrow the socio-economic gap and reduce gender inequality. 

Children and youths should be given access to higher-quality health care and education, and be equipped with strong life skills to overcome challenges and fully engage in social development, she added. 

The UNICEF residential representative also pledged close cooperation and strong assistance for Vietnam in materialising UN millennium goals, especially in providing best possible care and development conditions for young people. 

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Nguyen Vu Ha Anh called on the entire community to give the youth the best of what they have to make their dream come true. 

Residential Representatives from the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) also supported recommendations for investment in children and youths. They include providing information and advice on policy making, implementing the rights of children and youths to access social services and pushing up the fight against poverty and inequality.