The conference, jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC), had the theme “Improving multi-sector cooperation for a safe and sustainable environment for children”.

More than 500 representatives from 35 countries and territories and 44 United Nations (UN) and international organisations attended the conference.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam gives a speech at the conference

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that many countries, including Viet Nam, had strived to implement sustainable development goals and children’s rights which were regulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Laws and policies of many countries including Viet Nam paid much attention and investment to children despite difficult conditions.

The Deputy PM said that to have comprehensive development, children should be respected and protected. It needed continuous efforts from every organisation in order to narrow gaps between poor regions and developed regions.

Parents should be trained about knowledge and psychology.

However, he said, in the world one in every six children lived in conflict areas, and one child died every seven minutes due to violence. Three fourths of children are physically and psychological abused by their families and relatives.

Thus the Deputy PM emphasised the importance of cooperation between State organisations, international and charity organisations, the enterprise community and especially individuals and each family in protecting and taking care of children.  

Poor regions in developed countries should improve knowledge spreading to every people, especially parents and going-to-be parents about their responsibility and necessary skills in bringing up the children.

Dam said that UN organisations in general and UNICEF in particular, international organisations, countries, enterprises and individuals had always cooperated with the Government to give priority to children despite difficult situations.

Thanks to this support, Viet Nam achieved many Millennium Development Goals before the deadline, especially goals related to children and mothers.

Viet Nam has been strongly committed to the UN’s agenda by 2030 in which priority was given to targets related to children’s development.

Lately, the Government submitted to the National Assembly a special project to develop the socio-economy in poor remote areas. Goals related to children were mentioned in detail in the project.

A view of the conference

Taking care of, protecting and creating the best conditions for children’s development is investing in the country’s future and sustainable development.

No one was left behind is the slogan for everyone and for children, especially those living in poor remote areas and children with disabilities. Let no children have no smile, no innocent childhood and no future for development.

Experts at the conferment exchanged problems related to policies for children’s development including taking care of children of emigrants, environmental pollution threatens children’s development and initiatives for children’s development./.