"We commend the Government of Viet Nam's effort in implementing the MDGs in the past 5 years. Overall, Viet Nam has performed well on almost all goals and targets set out by the MDGs. Some of the results achieved are even higher than expected, for example, on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Viet Nam has made significant progress on other targets and is well on track to achieve its MDGs. It has also shown its high commitment to achieve the MDGs, illustrated by incorporating the goals into its national strategies."

Regarding challenges that Viet Nam could face in the future in implementing the MDGs, Philips said "Future challenges arise from ensuring sustainability and quality of growth in order to reduce poverty further. The rate of households falling back into poverty is high, particularly among people in remote and disaster-prone areas. In the education sector, while education enrollment rates have increased, and three-shift classrooms largely eliminated, many deficiencies in the quality of education are apparent at all levels, particularly in upper secondary education. There are also difficulties in implementing the MDGs at sub-national level due to the lack of resources and capacity."

Asked about Viet Nam's August 9 release of the first national report entitled, "Achieving the Millennium Development Goals", jointly prepared by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Planning and Investment, he said the report evaluates the progress Viet Nam has made toward realising the eight MDGs that set targets for poverty reduction, improvements in education and health, gender equity and environmental sustainability.

"This report is well prepared and covering most major issues and sectors in the country. It is also very comprehensive and certain a good analysis. The process of preparing the MDG report has been open and participatory," he said.

The integration of MDGs into the five year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) reflects the strong commitments of the Government to achieve the MDGs. The MDGs and the SEDP are interlinked, with the MDGs providing the guidelines and framework for building the SEDP and vice versa, the national strategies in SEDP are designed to support MDGs.

Bradford said the ADB is committed to help Viet Nam reduce poverty by stimulating growth and employment generation through private sector development, social equity programmes, ensuring environmental sustainability, and good governance. The ADB aligns its Country Strategy and Program with the Government's SEDP by focusing on sustainable growth, inclusive development and good governance.

During the period from 1993 to 2004, ADB provided Viet Nam with 49 public sector loans totaling nearly 3 billion USD and 162 technical assistance grants worth 108 million USD. ADB projects in Viet Nam cover a wide range of activities including rural development, infrastructure, education, health, gender equality, financial sector reform and public administration reform, contributing to the Government in achieving its development goals and targets.

"ADB will continue to assist the Government of Viet Nam in addressing its future challenges and investment requirements by mobilizing public and private resources as well as regional cooperation operations," he restated./.