The United Nations will provide a non-refundable aid of US$1.1 million for Vietnam to implement its national target program on building new-style rural areas. To this effect, a project was signed between representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and some UN bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in Hanoi on March 7. The $1.39 million project will be implemented in three years from March 2014. It aims to provide technical assistance for Vietnam’s target program in order to promote the potential of rural areas. It will coordinate donors, agencies and experts via the ministry’s International Support Group (ISG) while forming a legal framework to increase public involvement through the co-management system and public-private partnership. Speaking at the ceremony, MARD Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said that after three years of implementing the target program, Vietnam is facing numerous difficulties in coordinating activities from the central to local levels. He expressed his belief that the project will help Vietnam accomplish the program. Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Arthur Erken pledged support for Vietnam to boost people-centered rural development, thus contributing to its sustainable development. (vov.vn Mar 8)
