Vietnam commits full responsibility to realise rights of persons with disabilities

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen has reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to improve the living standards of people with disabilities in Vietnam while providing them with favourable conditions and legitimate rights.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung joins thousands in a charity walk in Ho Chi Minh City in April to support people with disabilities (Soruce: VGP)

Minister Chuyen made the statement at the Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) conference in Hanoi on November 27.

Vietnam has fully and positively participated in regional and international programmes for people with disabilities, including the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons for the 2003–2012 and 2013 -2022 periods under the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, she said.

The country has also finalised procedures to ratify the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the eighth session of the 13th National Assembly, she added.

She expressed her belief that the conference would work out proper and suitable initiatives and solutions to increase support for people with disabilities in the region and around the world in the most effective way.

The event, co-hosted by the Vietnam Federation on Disability and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, attracted the participation of over 500 delegates, including around 300 international delegates from 42 countries and territories.

During two plenary sessions, the participants reviewed the progress made over the past two years on implementing the Incheon strategy, and discussed ways to raise public awareness of the rights of people with disabilities.

It also helped individuals and organisations share experiences in the realisation of the rights of people with disabilities in the fields of policy making, social welfare, vocational training and integration education.

An exhibition of handicrafts made by people with disabilities, a gala dinner and a walking tour in response to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) are also scheduled during the two-day conference.

(Source: VNA/ Translated by Nhan Dan Online)