What goals does UNDP have toward improving the Human Development Index in Iceland? List the specific factors. How is the country responding to the UN’s Millennium goals? What progress has been made since 2000?

Explanation:

Vietnam has embarked on the final stage of implementing the Millennium

Development Goals. The period 2010-2013 has significant meaning in the

socio-economic development of Vietnam, marking the completion of the

Socio-economic Development Strategy 2001-2010 and transition to the

period 2011-2020. Vietnam is currently facing a number of challenges.

The economic slowdown in Vietnam and macroeconomic instability has

reduced decent work opportunities and lowered average income. Moreover,

Vietnam is also encountering increasing problems including climate change,

inequality in living standards, poverty among ethnic minorities, urban

poverty and migration, the quality of education and training unable to catch

up with demand from the growing economy, and a weak and uncompetitive

private sector in the context of rigorous economic integration. These

challenges can slow down the progress of MDGs.

In the context of socio-economic challenges, the Government of Vietnam

(GOV) has provided timely measures to stabilize the economy, maintain a

reasonable growth rate, and prioritize poverty reduction, as well as support

activities in social, economic and environmental fields. These efforts have

brought about positive results. Firstly, Vietnam has gradually stabilized its

macro-economy, and controlled inflation. Exports display strong growth and

agriculture continues to play an important role in economic growth. GDP

per capita reached USD1.596 in 2012, which was four times higher than

GDP per capita in 2000. Secondly, poverty reduction efforts have obtained

positive outcomes. The national poverty rate fell from 14.2 percent in 2010

to 9.6 percent in 2012.1

The poverty rate in the economically disadvantaged

regions such as 62 poor communes in Program 30a (a program for supporting

the 62 poorest districts nationwide) fell from 58.3 percent in 2010 to 43.9

percent in 2012. Thirdly, Vietnam has built up the National Strategy for

Gender Equality 2011-2020. This establishment marks groundbreaking

change in the national approach towards gender equality in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a relatively high Gender Equality Index as compared to nations

with similar growth. Fourthly, Vietnam has succeeded in implementation of

environmental protection policies, while building a comprehensive policy

and legislative framework to tackle climate change.

Vietnam has mostly completed three MDGs: MDG 1 to eradicate extreme

poverty and hunger, MDG 2 to achieve universal primary education, MDG

3 to promote gender equality and empower women. In the period 2010-

2013, Vietnam has continued to maintain and improve these achievements.

Vietnam has made significant progress in the remaining MDGs. MDG 4

and MDG 5 are close to completion. Three other MDGs, including MDG

6 to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases2

, MDG 7 to ensure

environmental sustainability, and MDG 8 to develop a global partnership

for development, have obtained positive progress