Mr Sinh made the statement at a seminar in Hanoi on September 18 to collect opinions from international and non-governmental organisations, diplomatic agencies, research institutes, and relevant ministries and agencies to complete the draft report.

According to the draft report, Vietnam made outstanding achievements in implementing 8 MDGs between 2005-2007. Notably, the rate of poor households dropped to nearly 15 percent in 2007 from 18 percent in 2004. The number of children of school age increased considerably, particularly in remote and mountainous areas.

However, the draft report points out challenges Vietnam is facing in meeting the goals. They include poor management and irresponsibility of businesses in protecting the environment, a lack of personnel and poor healthcare services in remote areas, and an increasing rate of poverty relapse.

Nguyen Tu Nhat, head of the report drafting board, said that Vietnam should adopt comprehensive solutions, from providing mechanisms to mobilising resources for poverty reduction projects. He underscored the need to mobilise capital resources from all economic sectors, including businesses, to fulfil the goal of poverty reduction.

The report also highlights Vietnam’s progress in combining MDGs with other strategies and socio-economic development. It suggests that the Government provide more financial support for remote and mountainous areas.

The report will be submitted to the Government in October before being released at the annual Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam in December.