A representative of the HCM City Labour Federation presents aid to a pandemic-hit worker. (Photo: VNA)Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Philip Fernandez affirmedthat under the challenge-tested leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people have been enjoying equal economic, political, and social interests. In otherwords, they have been protected.
This can be seen in the Vietnamese Government’s efforts toeliminate poverty and protect vulnerable groups, he noted, stressing thatVietnam is one of the few countries that have made considerable strides inachieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. In particular, the householdpoverty rate was brought down to 2.75% of the population of nearly 100 millionby the end of 2020.
Fernandez held that the Vietnamese Party and State have madeunceasing efforts to protect the rights and ensure prosperity and happiness forall people while implementing drastic action plans to promote equality forvulnerable groups.
During the over two years under the COVID-19 pandemic’simpacts, they have strived to ensure people’s rights such as free access tohealth care and vaccination and also launch aid packages for enterprises andpeople in need, according to him.
Meanwhile, Steve Rutchinski, another member of the friendshipassociation, said Vietnam has actively engaged in humanitarian activities aspart of the UN peacekeeping missions and won recognition by the internationalcommunity, helping establish itself as a respected country.
ThatVietnam was elected to the UN Security Council twice demonstrates othercountries’ trust in the Southeast Asian nation. Itwas also elected to the UN Human Rights Council for 2014 - 2016 and now nominatedfor a seat in the council for 2023 - 2025 by the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), showing its role as a force for peace and stability inthe international arena as well as other countries’ respect for it, he opined.
Rutchinski said the international community needs thelegitimate voice from Vietnam, adding that members of the friendshipassociation thank the country for contributing to common peace./.
VNA
