Ms. Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the Copyright Office, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Mr. Ta Ngoc Tri, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee for Education of Children with Disabilities and Children in Difficult Circumstances, Ministry of Education and Training

Mr. Nguyen Van Chi - Deputy Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health

Mr. Dinh Thanh Tung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Blind

Ms. Dinh Viet Anh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of the Blind, Standing Member of the Vietnam Federation on Persons with disabilities.

Distinguished guests from Government, organizations of and for persons with disabilities, universities, and the media

Representatives from the UN in Viet Nam

Dear friends and partners, good afternoon.

On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam, it is my great privilege to welcome you to the closing ceremony of the United Nations Joint Programme: "Working Together for an Inclusive Future - Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through Effective Collaboration."
The programme is part of the global United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – or PRPD.

With generous funding from the governments in the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), this global partnership has initiated more than 30 joint programmes around the world, catalyzing significant advancements towards more disability inclusive societies. 

Viet Nam was one of the 26 countries out of more than one hundred to be selected for a joint programme under the PRPD.

This speaks to the seriousness with which Viet Nam – both government and civil society – have worked to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. The world recognizes those efforts. 

The programme in Viet Nam was implemented across 23 provinces from 2022 to 2023. It exceeded targets for nine out of thirteen programme outputs, with the remainder achieved as planned.

Allow me to highlight some key achievements:

First, on accessible books for persons with print disabilities.

With robust legislative and technical support provided through the programme, Viet Nam aligned its intellectual property framework with international inclusion standards. 

This effort resulted in substantial policy reforms, including amendments to the Intellectual Property Law in June 2022 to incorporate copyright exceptions for persons with print disabilities. 

Viet Nam's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty in December 2022 and subsequent decrees further promoted these exceptions, significantly improving access to accessible books, particularly in educational settings.
Second, on disability-inclusive comprehensive sexuality education. 

Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education and Training, the programme successfully integrated disability-inclusive content into the national Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum. 

This milestone was underscored by the Ministry’s issuance of Decision No. 565 in February 2024, formally approving the updated curriculum and integrating it into the national training system. 

This initiative will ensure that students with disabilities receive equitable and inclusive CSE across secondary and high schools nationwide.

Third, on inclusive education. 

In 2022, the programme facilitated a comprehensive assessment of available inclusive education, childcare, and protection services. 

This assessment, coupled with extensive technical support and capacity-building efforts for over four hundred educators, parents, and social workers, led to significant progress in expanding access to Inclusive Education Resource Centers and daycare centers for children with disabilities. 

They contributed to the implementation of the 2018 Prime Minister decision on a scheme to help children with disabilities access community-based child protection, care and education services in the 2018-2015 period
Moreover, in December 2022, the Ministry of Education and Training issued a circular setting nationwide regulations for Inclusive Education Resource Centers. 

These efforts lay the foundations to significantly enhance access to inclusive education programs and essential protection services for children with disabilities.

Fourth, on sexual and reproductive health rights. 

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the programme developed the first-ever national guideline and comprehensive training program for healthcare workers on sexual and reproductive health services for persons with disabilities. 

This groundbreaking guideline is poised for adoption. 

It will pave the way for improving access to inclusive healthcare services. 

A pilot capacity-building program targeting 150 healthcare staff will further enhance the delivery of SRH services to persons with disabilities, promoting equitable access and improving their overall health outcomes.

Finally, and of great importance, national disability-inclusive data. 

The programme made significant contributions to national data collection efforts critical for implementing and monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Key achievements include the development of indicators for the 2nd National Disability Survey conducted by the General Statistics Office last year. 

This survey, supported by GSO, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and representatives from key ministries and NGOs, aims to collect precise disability-disaggregated data across various aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The results, expected to be published in 2025, will serve as a vital resource for Viet Nam's 2nd CRPD State report.

They will also inform the development of new socio-economic programs that better integrate persons with disabilities into national development efforts.

Ladies and gentlemen,

These achievements are a testament to what we can accomplish through collaboration and shared commitment.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our government partners for their steadfast leadership in driving policy changes and integrating disability rights into national frameworks. 

Your vision and support have laid a strong foundation for sustained progress.

I also express heartfelt thanks to organizations of persons with disabilities. 

Your advocacy and active participation have been indispensable in shaping our programme's progress. 

Your lived experiences and leadership have ensured that our initiatives are genuinely inclusive and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

Collaboration between UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA has been instrumental in this journey. 

Each agency has brought unique strengths and perspectives, enriching our collective approach and ensuring comprehensive support for the implementation of the CRPD.

As we conclude this programme, let us celebrate the spirit of collaboration that has illuminated our shared journey. 

The road ahead may present challenges, but the solid foundations we have laid together fill me with confidence that we will continue to champion the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Viet Nam.

Thank you, xin cam on va chuc suc khoe!