National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân speaks at a conference on the implementation of an NA resolution on the plan for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and disadvantaged regions for 2021-2030.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Investing in ethnic minority and mountainous areas would promote sustainable development an use the regions' potential, said National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

Ngân made the statement on Tuesday at a conference on the implementation of an NA resolution on the plan for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and disadvantaged regions for 2021-2030.

The plan had combined over 100 policies into a national target programme for sustainable development among ethnic minorities, she said.

“The NA resolution has outlined goals to prevent overlapping, wastefulness and ensure the transparency of inspection work,” Ngân said.

This was also a part of the implementation of sustainable development goals that the United Nations and the World Parliamentary Union had selected Việt Nam as a focus site.

“Việt Nam is constantly striving to implement sustainable development investment in socio-economic development, fairness and environmental protection,” Ngân said, adding that the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels played an important role in supervising the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring the principles of fairness, solidarity and mutual assistance.

The NA chairwoman called on the Government to complete an action plan to put the resolution into operation as soon as possible.

The nation is home to 53 ethnic minority groups who make up 14 per cent of its population of 96 million.

The NA on November 18 adopted a plan for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and disadvantaged regions with near 90 per cent approval.

The plan prioritises the most disadvantaged regions in ethnic minority-dominated and mountainous areas, with the main goals being resolving the lack of residential land, production land and clean water; developing agriculture and forestry with consideration towards each locality’s particular strengths and features; and investing in critical infrastructure in these regions.

According to the plan, Việt Nam wants to double the annual income of ethnic minority communities by 2025 to reduce the ratio of poor households by 3 per cent a year.

The master plan also envisages upgrading traffic infrastructure in communes and villages inhabited by ethnic minority groups, starting with main roads.

It also aims to provide power to 99 per cent of households, clean water to 90 per cent of residents and television and radio services to the entire population.

The plan also targets training 40 per cent of the ethnic minority population in industrial jobs, or the tourism and service sectors, while 80 per cent of rural households will be engaged in commercial agricultural production. — VNS