Conference to evaluate the implementation of the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2025 period in the Central and Central Highlands regions

Conference scene

The Central and Central Highlands regions include 16 provinces and cities. This region currently has 445 communes in region I, 66 communes in region II, 476 communes in region III, with 3,243 extremely disadvantaged villages, accounting for 24.53% of the total number of extremely disadvantaged villages in ethnic minority and mountainous areas nationwide.

The National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas has made an important contribution to the implementation of the region's socio-economic development plan.  The resources and policies of the program have been focusing on investing in developing essential infrastructure works serving people's lives such as connecting roads, irrigation works serving production, works facilitating access to basic social services in health, education, housing, cultural activities, etc. Notably, the disbursement rate of investment capital of the Program reached 74.3%, 3 times higher than the general disbursement rate of investment capital of the whole country at 57.7%.

Along with the implementation of ethnic policies and National Target Programs for the period 2021-2025, localities have done well in hunger eradication, poverty reduction, vocational training, and job creation; the material and spiritual life of people has been improved; health care, education and training have had positive changes.

The conference was attended by leaders of central departments, ministries and branches; representatives of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; members of the Steering Committees of the National Target Programs of provinces and cities in the Central and Central Highlands regions.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing and evaluating the results of the implementation of the Program for the 2021-2025 period, especially the achievements and limitations and shortcomings in the implementation of each project, sub-project, and component content; clearly pointing out the slow or stuck contents that need to be focused on; proposing key tasks and solutions in the coming time.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh spoke at the conference

Speaking at the conference, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh said that Binh Dinh province has 03 mountainous districts including: Van Canh, Vinh Thanh and An Lao; 22 extremely disadvantaged communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas and 7 extremely disadvantaged villages of 5 communes and towns not in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. From 2022 to 2024, the total capital allocated to the Program is over 782 billion VND. By September 30, 2024, the disbursement progress of investment capital reached 82.3%; career capital reached 49.4%.  After 3 years (from 2022 to present), with the efforts and determination of the entire political system together with the initiative of the people of all ethnic groups in the province, the Program has created positive changes, contributing to improving and enhancing the lives of ethnic minority people in the province. The poverty rate has decreased by more than 4%/year compared to the target of 3% - 4%/year.

To effectively implement the Program in the period of 2026 - 2030, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh proposed that the Government and central ministries and branches pay attention to adjusting the number of Projects, Sub-projects, Component Contents and consider integrating and arranging between the 3 national target programs appropriately for easy implementation. At the same time, pay attention to increasing resources allocated to localities, increasing investment capital to improve infrastructure in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the coming period;  Expand the scope of the Program for a number of projects for near-poor households and households that have just escaped poverty within 3 years; continue to implement a number of specific mechanisms and policies to implement national target programs according to Resolution No. 111/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh also suggested that there should be an open mechanism and strong enough policies to increase attractiveness, attract investment from businesses and enhance the capacity of cooperatives in ethnic minority areas, especially in extremely difficult areas to help ethnic minorities diversify their livelihoods, develop production in the direction of value chains...

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh delivered a speech directing the conference.

 Concluding the conference, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh acknowledged and highly appreciated the determination, efforts, participation of the entire political system and the support of the people of 16 provinces in implementing the Program.

To promote the socio-economic development of ethnic minority areas in the Central Highlands and Central Vietnam in phase II (2026 - 2030), Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh requested central ministries, branches and especially leaders of the Central and Central Highlands provinces, based on a comprehensive and overall assessment of the projects of the Program implemented in phase I, to continue reviewing the legal corridor, proposing and identifying practical projects for phase II, focusing on projects with promoting impacts and should have priority for projects, ensuring focused and key investment. Along with that, it is necessary to strengthen decentralization and delegation of authority to localities in project management, supervision and implementation, proactively deciding on specific policies to meet the requirements of practical implementation, ensuring conformity with the general objectives of the Program and practical conditions.  Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh also asked localities to continue exploiting their potential, innovating and ensuring social security. The main goal is to reduce poverty quickly, narrow the gap in living standards and income compared to the national average, and reduce the number of extremely disadvantaged communes and villages. The consensus of authorities at all levels and the community is the key to making this Program truly bring practical benefits to ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, contributing to the overall development of the country./.