Delegates at the meeting of the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Many important results have been recorded in ethnic minority affairs, especially the implementation of related programmes and policies, so far this year, helping with socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

This was announced at a national conference held by the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs in Hà Nội on Monday to review the performance in the first half of 2024 and launch tasks for the remaining months.

Deputy Minister, Vice Chairwoman of the committee Nông Thị Hà reported that the coordination among the Party, State, Việt Nam Fatherland Front, and entire political system, the attention from the whole society, and the efforts by ethnic minorities themselves have created significant momentum for the implementation of ethnic policies.

Apart from important results in executing programmes and policies, information dissemination, digital transformation, and legal education among ethnic minority people have been enhanced. International cooperation in relevant affairs has been promoted. Meanwhile, the apparatus and contingent of cadres involved in the work have also been improved.

Notably, she added, progress has been made in the disbursement of funds for the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Hà cited the Ministry of Finance as reporting that public investment disbursement under this programme approximated VNĐ4.36 trillion (over US$171 million) by the end of May, equivalent to 28 per cent of this year’s target.

The other two national target programmes for 2021-25, on sustainable poverty reduction and new-style countryside building, have continued to be carried out strongly in beneficiary areas, giving a facelift to transport facilities and schools in poor districts. They have continued providing assistance in livelihood development and poverty alleviation, boosting vocational training and sustainable employment, and supporting poor and near-poor families to build houses, according to the official.

Pointing out some focal tasks for the year’s second half, Hầu A Lềnh, Minister - Chairman of the committee, said it is necessary to keep a close watch on the situation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas; make timely report on ethnic affairs and policies, especially security and environmental hotspots, natural disasters and diseases, to take timely actions; and coordinate with competent agencies in communications to raise ethnic minority people’s awareness of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, thereby helping strengthen the public’s trust and consensus.

He also underlined the importance of properly drafting ethnic plans and policies; working with ministries, sectors, and localities to speed up programmes and policies; conducting reviews and amendments to ensure those programmes and policies are consistent with the system of ethnic policies; and pressing on with the survey of the 53 ethnic minority groups’ socio-economic situation to serve as a basis for building ethnic policies for 2026-30 and beyond. — VNS