The Minister of Rural and Agricultural Development, Cao Duc Phat, stated this while delivering his opening speech at the 2nd ASEAN Senior Official Meeting o­n Rural Development and Poverty Eradication plus Three meeting (SOMRDPE+3) in Hanoi o­n May 26.

When describing Vietnam’s experience, the minister underlined that Vietnam always considers agriculture, farmers and rural areas as decisive factors in the country’s political stability and socio-economic development. As a result, Vietnam’s development plans always include social and economic issues to develop an equitable and sustainable rural community, he added.

Speaking highly of the ASEAN+3 cooperation in rural development and poverty eradication, Minister Phat said SOMRDPE+3 is a good forum for member countries to discuss and work out a proper model of cooperation for mutual development for the benefit of the whole bloc.

The meeting is taking place in the context of the global economic crisis and other destablising factors such as natural disasters, diseases and climate change. These all threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of farmers and rural people in the region and affects the achievements made by the bloc to eradicate poverty and reach the UN’s MDGs. Thus, “it is necessary to strengthen cooperation and put forward new ideas at regional level o­n rural development and poverty eradication,” the minister stressed.

Minister Phat also proposed that SOMRDPE+3 works out a suitable way of working to benefit rural people, by strengthening joint initiatives to develop human resources and exchange experience in rural development. More investment is also needed in order to close the gap between regional countries and between the ASEAN+3 countries.