Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will implement a $1.3 million rural development project with $1.1 million of non-refundable aid from the United Nations (UN). According to a memorandum of understanding signed in Hanoi on March 7 between the MARD and some UN bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the 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. Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Arthur Erken pledged to support Vietnam in sustainable rural development. (Giao Thong – Transport Mar 10 p6)
