As reported by Voice of Vietnam (VOV) News on 1 September, 2010

Although Vietnam has achieved much regarding poverty reduction, greater efforts are needed to ensure the benefit of vulnerable groups and the sustainability of development, said a UN expert during an official visit to Vietnam.

Magdalena Sepúlveda, an independent UN expert on human rights and extreme poverty, stated this at a press conference on August 31.

Mrs. Sepúlveda highly praised Vietnam’s efforts in alleviating poverty through programmes 134 and 135 and the social security strategy for the 2011-2020 period, which she thought should be linked well with other social policies.

She also called for international assistance for Vietnam to deal with the challenges of climate change.

During her visit, she had working sessions with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem and went on fact-finding tours to some poor provinces like Bac Kan and Quang Nam.