Also attending the meeting were leaders of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry Office, Department of Policy, and Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dissemination under the Ministry.

One of the key issues highlighted by the Minister was the challenge concerning clean water access for children in the northern mountainous provinces. The Minister pointed out that despite substantial demand among the local people, rugged rocky mountainous terrain remains the most complex technical obstacle. Facing this reality, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment have set a strategic objective to fundamentally resolve the clean water issue in highland regions by 2027.

The Minister expressed hope that UNICEF would actively share successful international practices and assist in the transfer of advanced technological solutions tailored to the geological characteristics of rocky mountainous areas in Vietnam.

Minister Nguyễn Đình Khang converses with UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam Silvia Danailov

Providing updates on the implementation of Vietnam's National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Regions, the Minister stated that the 2021-2025 phase of the Program achieved remarkable milestones, prominently the fundamental and complete eradication of temporary and dilapidated houses for local ethnic people. For the 2026-2030 period, the Ministry is actively collaborating with localities to conduct surveys and evaluate practical data in order to formulate the most realistic roadmap. During this phase, resources will be concentrated and prioritized for essential living needs: electricity grid, safe water, health services, and education.

Specifically within the education sector, the Minister affirmed the crucial importance of consolidating the system of 248 ethnic minority boarding high/general schools along borderline regions and disadvantaged areas. Alongside upgrading physical infrastructure, the Ministry is reviewing and proposing tailored, sustainable education policies specifically designed for children of ethnic minority communities.

The allocation of productive agricultural land for local people was also recognized by the Minister as a pivotal task requiring legal resolution in the coming years to ensure sustainable, long-term livelihoods.

Reaffirming the Vietnamese Government’s steadfast commitment to "leaving no one behind," Minister Nguyễn Đình Khang noted that the Ministry will continue to serve as a trustworthy partner, working closely with UNICEF to fulfill the bilateral cooperation goals established between Vietnam and UNICEF.

The Minister expressed confidence that, with technical assistance and coordinated resources from UNICEF, terrain and natural obstacles will gradually be overcome, opening up comprehensive development opportunities for ethnic minority children in Vietnam.

UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam Silvia Danailov confers with Minister Nguyễn Đình Khang

Citing findings from the latest multidimensional poverty analysis report, Ms. Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, pointed out significant gaps that need to be narrowed. While the multidimensional poverty rate among majority children (Kinh children) has dropped below 10%, this rate among ethnic minority children still hovers at 33%.

The UNICEF Representative observed that poverty is not merely measured in monetary terms, but is also vividly manifested through the deprivation of basic services. In particular, access to clean water and sanitation currently serves as the most alarming indicator, with the successful access rate in certain localities falling below 10%.

She noted that the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme will remain UNICEF's core focus of intervention in the coming years. The organization is committed to providing technical support adhering to international standards and exploring innovative financial solutions to assist Vietnam in overcoming the obstacles presented by complex rocky mountain landscapes.

Beyond infrastructure, Ms. Danailov expressed deep concern over the upward trend in early marriage among ethnic minority girls (child marriage among girls). To comprehensively tackle this issue, she proposed a cross-sectoral approach combining education, livelihoods, and social protection to build an all-encompassing protective safety net for children.

Serving as co-chair of the Ethnic Minority Working Group (EMWG), Ms. Silvia Danailov committed to actively coordinating and mobilizing resources from international partners as well as the private sector.

The UNICEF Representative underscored that UNICEF will continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam to address systemic challenges, aiming toward the goal of ensuring that all children enjoy equitable developmental rights.

Posing for group photo