New Zealand participates in annual policy dialogue between development partners and government of Viet Nam

New Zealand, represented by the New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam and the Development Manager,  participated actively in the Annual Consultative Group Meeting held in Ha Noi on December 10. The first half of the full day meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Dung.  A wide range of senior Vietnamese Government Ministers and officials as well as representatives of all major bilateral and multilateral development partners attended.

Discussions centred on three major areas of common interest for Viet Nam and development partners: macroeconomic performance in 2012 and priorities for 2013, education and skills for an improved workforce, and land issues - including the revision of the land law. All delegates agreed macroeconomic stability, development of education and skills, and sound land policy are key priorities for a successful middle income country.

New Zealand interventions at the meeting focussed on the competitiveness dimension of education/skills and land issues, and the linkage between this and Viet Nam’s involvement in regional economic and trade integration processes.

New Zealand was also actively involved in preparations for the meeting including participating in working groups for the education and land areas drawing on New Zealand domestic experience as well as our development assistance support here in Viet Nam including post-graduate scholarships and large projects in early childhood education and land reform.