On the morning of November 26, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Vietnam held a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - UNICEF cooperation (1975-2025) and the 35th anniversary of Vietnam's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Celebration of 50 years of Vietnam - UNICEF cooperation (1975 - 2025) and 35 years of Vietnam's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Photo: Quynh Chi.
Since 1975, UNICEF has been one of the earliest United Nations organizations in Vietnam. UNICEF's initial humanitarian programs have made an important contribution to overcoming the consequences of war, helping children have access to basic needs of nutrition, health, clean water and education . In 1990, Vietnam became the first country in Asia and the second in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, just one year after the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long emphasized that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified international document in history, with 196 member countries, demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to the protection, care and education of children.
Up to now, the system of policies and laws has been continuously amended and supplemented in a comprehensive and inclusive direction, such as universalizing preschool education for children aged 3-5, exempting preschool tuition fees, developing STEM education programs, implementing the National Nutrition Strategy for the period 2021-2030 and vision to 2045, promoting expanded vaccination, enhancing social security and disaster response capacity.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long delivered the opening speech. Photo: Quynh Chi.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, Vietnam hopes to continue receiving UNICEF's support in the following areas: strengthening planning and formulating plans for national target programs related to children; improving capacity for comprehensive care, protection and education; modernizing the social service system; promoting innovative models and projects in child protection; and mobilizing resources and sustainable techniques for programs for children.
Ms. June Kunugi, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, highly appreciated Vietnam's remarkable progress in putting children and young people at the center of policies over the past 35 years. UNICEF identified three key areas to support Vietnam in the coming period: increasing investment in children and human capital; ensuring safety and empowering development in communities; and building families and communities that are more resilient to climate change, natural disasters and social shocks.
Ms. June Kunugi expressed her belief that Vietnam can absolutely become a regional and world model in child development. Photo: Quynh Chi.
After 50 years of cooperation, the relationship between Viet Nam and UNICEF is moving into a new phase of innovation, the digital age and new challenges, from climate change to digital inequality. Both sides are committed to working together to ensure every child enjoys their rights, and no child is left behind.
As the agency that monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child assesses Vietnam as one of the countries that has made remarkable progress in building a legal system and social investment for children.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Vietnam received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for the organization's significant and important contributions over 50 years. Photo: Quynh Chi.
Since ratifying the Convention 35 years ago, Vietnam has not only fulfilled its commitments on paper, but has also made significant changes for children. The legal and policy system has been increasingly improved, reflected in specific provisions on children's rights in the 2016 Law on Children, along with amendments to the Law on Education, building a solid legal foundation to protect and ensure the participation of children nationwide. Children's lives have also improved in terms of reducing poverty and child mortality rates, expanding access to quality education, and controlling child labor and early marriage.
The deep solidarity between Vietnam and UNICEF is also demonstrated through many programs to reduce poverty, increase child welfare and support vulnerable groups of children.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment congratulates UNICEF on the occasion of 50 years of accompanying the development of children and youth in Vietnam. Photo: Quynh Chi.
Looking back over the past 50 years, it can be affirmed that the achievements not only reflect the efforts of the Vietnamese Government and UNICEF, but also the commitment of the whole society to the future of children. In the new period, the cooperation between the State, international organizations, and agencies responsible for children will continue to be expanded, more creative and stronger, towards the goal of building a fair, inclusive and sustainable development environment for all Vietnamese children.
Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/50-nam-hanh-trinh-viet-nam--unicef-dong-hanh-vi-quyen-tre-em-d786543.html
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