ASEAN makes poverty eradication a top priority

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), made the statement at the 56th session of the Commission for Social Development of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which got underway in New York on January 29.

She reiterated the bloc’s full commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

She said the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015 and the adoption of the ASEAN Vision 2025 attests to the determination of member countries in building a community of peace, prosperity, and self-reliance, that is people based.

ASEAN has made remarkable achievements recently in the area of poverty eradication, reducing the number of extremely poor people from 138 million in 2000 to 44 million in 2015, she said.

The Ambassador added that in November 2017, the leaders of ASEAN countries adopted a statement on Science, Technology and Innovation for sustainable economic development, job creation, and the empowerment of people.

She highlighted ASEAN’s efforts in introducing support programmes for people with disabilities, empowering women economically, and promoting youth development.

She also underlined the significant role of international cooperation, especially the endeavours of ASEAN and the UN in promoting the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the UN Agenda 2030, of which poverty eradication is defined as a priority concern.

Titled “Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all,” the gathering will last until February 7, focusing on sharing the experience of countries in eradicating poverty and evaluating the implementation of UN action plans and programmes for people with disabilities, the elderly, youngsters, and families.