The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has just approved a new Country Program with the total amount of US$26.5 million for Vietnam in the period of 2022-2026, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

This is UNFPA's tenth program which prioritizes supporting those at risk of being left behind, including women and girls, adolescents and youth, the elderly, ethnic minorities, migrant workers, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence.

Under the program, UNFPA pledges to implement the National Plan of Action for Vietnam’s Sustainable Goals for the Decade of Action and the new Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2026) under the Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2021-2030) framework, both of which pay attention to population dynamics and issues.

Female workers at Bac Thang Long Industrial Park in Hanoi are consulted on knowledge of reproductive health care and family planning measures. Photo: Khanh Chi

The new Country Program has been developed thanks to consultations with the Vietnamese Government and other national and international stakeholders. It is in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Vietnam to fulfill the promise of “leaving no one behind”. Particularly, the program has directly contributed to reducing inequalities and vulnerabilities.

Naomi Kitahara, a UNFPA representative for Vietnam, highlighted the significance of the 10th program in Vietnam, adding that the new UNFPA Country Program has been designed to achieve specific results.

Basing on the successes of the previous country programs, UNFPA’s interventions and initiatives in the next five years will be aimed at achieving the transformative results of the UNFPA’s corporate strategic plan.

Besides, it set goals towards zero maternal death, zero gender-based violence, and other harmful practices against women and girls in Vietnam, Naomi Kitahara added.

For equitable access to reproductive health and rights, vulnerable groups including ethnic minorities, adolescents and youth, and migrant workers have increased equitable access to gender-transformative information and services.

To achieve these results, UNFPA will partner with the Vietnamese Government and national institutions in accordance with the principles of national ownership and mutual accountability.

UNFPA and Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment will jointly take responsibility for managing the program, and will plan, monitor, and evaluate program implementation using the results-based management approach.

In terms of UNFPA’s humanitarian support to Vietnam, the organization will focus on the provision of integrated sexual and reproductive health care, the prevention and response to gender-based violence, and support for the elderly population groups.

Regarding the rights and choices of women and girls, young people and older persons affected by humanitarian crises will be prioritized.