Deputy PM chairs first NCSDCI session

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan presided over the first session of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement (NCSDCI) on July 19.

At the session, a representative from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MoPI) briefed on Vietnam’s implementation of sustainable development targets over the past 20 years and outlined the outcomes of participating in the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) held last month in Brazil.

Partners pledged to continue to help Vietnam carry out the strategy for green growth and sustainable development through appropriate cooperation models such as Overseas Development Aid (ODA) projects and private-public partnerships (PPPs).

Delegates discussed the council’s organizational regulations and future operations aimed at successfully implementing Vietnam’s sustainable development strategy in the 2011-2012 period.

In his speech, Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan, who is also the NCSDCI Chairman, asked the MoIT to finalize the evaluation criteria on national competitive capacity by August 30 and send necessary documents to professional NCSDCI committees to prepare for their first session scheduled to take place in September.

There are four NCSDCI professional committees for sustainable development, over-seeing socio-economic affairs, competitive capacity improvement, natural resources and the environment and education.

The 41-member council, established under the Prime Minister’s Decision No 641 dated on May 31 2012, is responsible for proposing strategies, policies, and programs relevant to sustainable development and competitiveness.

 It will also supervise the realization of targets for sustainable development and competitiveness improvement in Vietnam.
The second NCSDCI session will be held in October, Deputy PM Nhan said.

Vietnam, Vatican boost bilateral ties

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the non-resident representative of the Holy See to Vietnam, conducted his ninth working visit to 12 provinces and cities throughout the country from July 2-19.

During the visit, the Vatican’s special enjoy met provincial leaders of Tien Giang, Can Tho, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau and joined prayers along with Catholic priests and people in four dioceses.

Throughout the visit, Archbishop Girelli has gained a better understanding of the Vietnam Catholic Church as well as the country’s land, people, history, culture and customs which will help further strengthen relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.

Committee urged to improve life in Southwest

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has asked the Steering Committee for the Southwest to prioritise controlling inflation, stabilising the macro economy and maintaining social security in the region.

Speaking at a meeting to review the committee’s work in the first six months in Can Tho city on July 19, Ninh, who is also head of the committee, further urged relevant authorities to effectively resolve ethnic issues in the region, ensure stable material and spiritual life for the locals as well as maintain political security, helping to prevent unexpected incidents.

Between now and the years-end, the committee will focus on coordinating with central and local agencies to submit to the Prime Minister a project on connectivity in the Mekong Delta, as well as specific mechanisms and policies to develop the region and Phu Quoc island.

More celebrations in Laos, Vietnam

The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos hosted a reception on July 18 to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012, the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

Many top leaders of Laos were present at the event, including Party General Secretary and State President Chummaly Saynhasone, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and National Assembly President Pani Zathotou.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Ta Minh Chau said Vietnam is delighted at the constant developments of the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

For his part, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong affirmed that Laos will always preserve and further develop the pure and loyal relationship with Vietnam.

A special exhibition on the Vietnam-Laos special relations for the 1962-2012 period was opened in Vientiane on July 17 and one day later at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi.

The exhibition will run through September 15, 2012.

Also on July 18, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed delegates to the third Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival in Hanoi.

Deputy PM Phuc said the third Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival is a practical activity of the two friendship organisations to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

Meetings were also held in Vietnam’s central coastal city of Da Nang and Lao province of Attapeu to mark the two anniversaries.

VNN/VOV/VNA