PM calls for better implementation of ethnic policies

According to an ethnic policy report for 2006-2014 released by the Government Committee for Ethnic Affairs, there are currently 130 ethnic policies reflected in 177 documents from 37 Government Decrees and Resolutions and 140 Government Decisions.

Localities have institutionalized the Party and State’s view on ethnic affairs by issuing guidelines and policies in line with localities’situation.

Approximately VND150,000 billion has been allocated for carrying out ethnic policies in the 2006-2012 period.

Despite facing budgetary difficulties, the State has prioritized allocating resources in combination with other financial assistance from international organizations, businesses and localities to invest and support socio-economic development in mountainous areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups.

The 135 programme is a case in point as it covers full content of policies for infrastructure investment, development assistance and capacity building for the community, legal aid for the people, cultural preservation and support for students from poor households. The programme has drawn the participation of 7 international organizations which provided nearly US$400 million.

Under the guidance of the Prime Minister and local authorities, ethnic policies have been implemented properly and obtained significant achievements with an improved material and spiritual life, a sharp fall in the number of poor households, remarkable progress in education, healthcare and culture and reinforced solidarity.

Besides these achievements, ethnic minority and mountainous areas still reveal many weaknesses and limitations such as high poverty rates, poor infrastructure and low quality of education and human resources and complex situation of nomadic farming, deforestation and illegal religious activities.

In his speech, PM Dung emphasized ethnic policies and ethnic affairs are the Party and State's strategic issues with importantly political significance. The effective implementation of ethnic policies has contributed to ensuring political stability and sustainable national development. 

“The guidelines set out in Party and State ethnic policies are very realistic and appropriate and has been brought to life, thereby bringing a facelift to mountainous areas. The efforts of the political system as well as the results achieved in the socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, especially poverty reduction outcomes, narrowing the development gap have earned international and UN plaudits” Dung said.

The Government leader asked ministries, sectors and localities to thoroughly grasp, raise public awareness of ethnic affairs and Party and State ethnic policies and pay attention to ethnic affairs through programs, plans, specific solutions to carry out them properly and effectively.

He also underlined the need to deal with limitations and weaknesses and further strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation of ethnic policies.

At the meeting, Dung and leaders of central ministries and agencies also considered and gave opinions on recommendations and suggestions related to the ethnic policies on allocating funding for ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2014 and 2015, building ethnic policies for 2016-2020 period and orientations to 2030 and governance mechanisms for ethnic policies.