The implementation of a strategy on ethnic affairs until 2020 was launched at a national conference in Hanoi on December 29, during which, ministries, agencies and localities across the country were assigned with key tasks to realise the set goals. The strategy looks to narrow development gap among ethnic minority communities on the basis of rapid and sustainable socio-economic growth, consolidate the political system and ensure the national defence and security. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged participants to fully grasp the Government-approved action plan on the strategy as, according to him, ethnic work is a responsibility of the entire political system. He asked the Government’s Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs to devise policies and guide all sides concerned during the implementation. Each year, it will work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance and others involved to ensure sufficient funding for the strategy. Localities were requested to raise public awareness on ethnic affairs, and strive by themselves to escape poverty. The Deputy PM also noted that the rate of poor ethnic households has been reduced and their living standards improved constantly. (vietnamplus.vn Dec 28)
