Vietnam Government Leaders Meet in Thai Binh with NGOs

The Thai Binh Provincial People’s Committee and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations held a meeting on December 5 with representatives from more than 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the meeting, Nguyen Hong Dien, chair of Thai Binh People’s Committee, briefed participants on the province’s socio-economic development over recent years, acknowledging the importance of contributions from NGOs. Mr Dien noted that per a report from the Thai Binh Friendship Association, NGOs have provided more than $3.3 million of assistance for the Province over the past four years for social projects. Their funds, he said, have helped Thai Binh better cope with social issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health and eye care as well as provide for improved livelihoods for disabled people and Agent Orange victims. Representatives from NGOs in turn shared their experiences in carrying out projects in Thai Binh province such as GNET from France in waste treatment, SDC in eye-related projects, and SNV from the Netherlands in sustainable rice production and gas emission reduction. At the meeting, leaders of some NGOs signed cooperation deals with Thai Binh Province in agriculture, humanitarian and environment. (vov.vn Dec 6)