The Vietnamese Government and the United Nations in Viet Nam on August 23 signed a common action plan until 2010, the first ever common plan the UN has signed with a country.

The move marked an important milestone in the UN reform process in Viet Nam . The plan is one of the key pillars of the “One UN Initiative” in Viet Nam , which is built on “Five Ones”, including One Plan, One Budget, One Leader, One Set of Management Practices and One UN House.

Viet Nam is one of the eight pilot countries volunteering to test UN reform at the country level. UN reform in Viet Nam has made considerable progress in large part due to the very strong leadership shown by the Government of Viet Nam.

“Viet Nam has been very active and effectively coordinated with the UN and the donor community in drafting the plan,” UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam John Hendra said at the signing ceremony.

It is expected that by early 2008 a revised One Plan will be finalized with all UN agencies operating in Viet Nam fully integrated, aimed at better supporting Viet Nam in achieving its goals as expressed in the country’s Socio-Economic Development Plan during the 2006-2010 period and the Millennium Development Goals.-(VNA)