Need for a separate mechanism for groups of people who cannot escape poverty
In recent years, the Party and the State have focused on directing and mobilizing all resources and strengths of the entire political system at all levels to participate, especially the efforts of the poor, poor households, and near-poor households to self-reliance.
Thanks to that, Vietnam has achieved many achievements in poverty reduction, recognized by the international community. Currently, multidimensional poverty reduction poses a higher demand, especially in the context of ensuring socio-economic indicators, people's lives, towards a fair and prosperous society, with the goal of prosperity and happiness.
Currently, competent authorities are focusing on completing the draft Decree regulating multidimensional poverty standards for the 2026-2030 period; considering integrating two target programs on new rural construction and sustainable poverty reduction; considering the national target program on socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021-2030 period to ensure effectiveness and avoid overlap.
Giving opinions on this issue, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Ngoc said that for poverty reduction, it is possible to focus on developing livelihoods, creating jobs and supporting access to basic services.
For new rural construction, priority is given to developing the rural economy associated with the application of high technology, improving the quality of life, promoting digital transformation and ensuring community security and safety.
Opinions from localities say that reality is posing two options: Incorporate all three programs (sustainable poverty reduction, new rural construction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas) into one program; or in the immediate future combine two programs for sustainable poverty reduction and new rural construction.
In addition to determining the multidimensional poverty standard, it is necessary to supplement specific support solutions, from access to public services to social security for vulnerable groups unable to participate in labor.
Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee Le Trung Ho proposed that there should be a separate mechanism for groups of people who cannot escape poverty such as the elderly, sick people, disabled people... to be included in long-term social security.
The criteria on housing, healthcare, and education between programs must be reviewed and unified to avoid the situation of "starting from scratch".
"The locality hopes to be decentralized by the Central Government more strongly, giving the initiative to complete the set goals," said Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City Tran Nam Hung.
Strategic issues, with survival significance
Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said that discussing the program of new rural construction and sustainable poverty reduction is a strategic issue that has survival significance for the country's development.
"The country cannot rise if the countryside does not rise. Vietnam's economy cannot develop quickly and sustainably if the rural economy does not develop rapidly and sustainably," Mr. Cao Duc Phat shared.
According to Mr. Cao Duc Phat, the greatest success of the new rural construction program in the past 15 years is thanks to being organized as a mass mobilization instead of just an investment program.
The Central Government supported, while local Party committees, authorities and people directly discussed, selected necessary items and implemented.
"In Tuyen Quang, with only 170 tons of cement and 2 million VND in support, people have built 1,000 km of road in 3 years. If bidding is done normally, the cost is up to 1 billion VND/km. This method is both economical and fast, and the quality is highly appreciated by the people" - Mr. Cao Duc Phat cited.
However, entering a new phase with changes in policies, development conditions and administrative management systems, there needs to be new approaches, contents and implementation organizations in building new rural areas and sustainable poverty reduction.
"This is not only a driving force for socio-economic development but also contributes to strengthening people's trust in the political system" - Mr. Cao Duc Phat affirmed.
