UNODC in Vietnam: Promoting criminal justice and the rule of law
Hanoi (Viet Nam), 14 August 2013 - UNODC and the Government of Vietnam have signed a Country Programme, which sets cooperation priorities between UNODC and the Government up to 2017.
Developed in close consultation with stakeholders, the UNODC Viet Nam Country Programme addresses national priorities in the 2011 - 2020 Socio-Economic Development Strategy, the 2011 - 2015 Socio-Economic Development Plan, the National Programmes on Drugs and Crime Prevention and Control, the National Target Programme on HIV/AIDS Prevention and the Control and National Programme against Anti-Human Trafficking.
Aligned with the UN One Plan for Vietnam for 2012 - 2017 with a focus on Criminal Justice, Rule of Law and Law Enforcement issues, the Country Programme is made up of five sub-programmes: Countering Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking; Anti Corruption and Money Laundering; Terrorism Prevention; Criminal Justice; and Drug demand reduction and HIV/AIDS.
A continuing high level of political commitment by the Government, the active cooperation of national authorities, and support from development partners will play a key role in the effective implementation of the Country Programme, key participants noted.
"The Country Programme for 2012-2017 is a joint product of cooperation between the Government of Viet Nam and UNODC, and the concretization of the One Plan for 2012-2016 in promoting the rule of law, and preventing and combating transnational-organised crime, illicit trafficking, corruption, money laundering and terrorism, illegal drug use and HIV/AIDS," said Vice Minister of Planning and Investment Mr. Cao Viet Sinh at the signing ceremony. "With the efforts of concerned Vietnamese agencies and UNODC, and the strong support and collaboration of UN agencies and the donor community, the Country Programme will make an important contribution to implementing national strategies and objectives encompassing these issues in Viet Nam."
"The UNODC Country Programme contributes to the One Plan's goal of supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people to protect their rights across the criminal justice system, to benefit from a stronger law enforcement and rule of law, and to have access to a humane and evidence-based public health system," said Mr. Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Ms. Pratibha Mehta highlighted: "Today's signing of the UNODC Country Programme for Viet Nam is timely and highly relevant. The UN in Viet Nam and its Government counterparts are confident this country programme will help ensure that security and the rule of law are upheld in Viet Nam and vulnerable members of society are protected."
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and diplomats, and repleresentatives of national authorities, UN agencies and the media.
