Representatives of seven foreign non-governmental organisations recieved Prime Minister's certificate of merit for their contributions to Việt Nam's socio-economic development. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Seven foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Thursday were granted the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s certificate of merit for their contributions to the country’s socio-economic development as well as its COVID-19 prevention and control in the 2020-2022 period.

They are The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI/the US), Fred Hollow Foundation (FHF/Australia), Fredrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES/Germany), Giving It Back To Kids (GIBTK/the US), Good Neighbours International (GNI/the Republic of Korea), The VinaCapital Foundation (VCF/the US), and World Vision International (WVI/the US).

On this occasion, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) presented the certificate of merit from its Presidium to 30 NGOs.

VUFO President Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga thanked and appreciated the contributions of foreign NGOs, which have joined hands with the Vietnamese Government and people in the process of poverty reduction and economic development, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

Both Nga and Ambassador Hà Kim Ngọc, Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organisations, expressed their hope to continue receiving support from NGOs, pledging that their agencies will stand side by side with and create favourable conditions for operations of NGOs in Việt Nam.

At a conference reviewing the implementation of the national programme on strengthening cooperation and mobilising foreign non-governmental aid for the 2019-2025 period, held by the VUFO the same day, VUFO Vice President and General Secretary Phan Anh Sơn, who is also Vice Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organisations, affirmed the important role of foreign NGOs in Việt Nam’s poverty reduction, sustainable development and international integration.

Over the past three years, more than 5,000 projects and grants have been deployed in areas of Việt Nam's need, with the disbursement value surpassing $650 million. — VNS