Aim to eliminate temporary housing and dilapidated houses in ethnic minority areas

On November 28, in An Giang province, the 4th Provincial Congress of Ethnic Minorities (EMs) took place in 2024 with the theme "Ethnic groups unite, innovate, promote advantages, potentials, integrate and develop sustainably".

Attending the Congress were Ms. Nong Thi Ha - Deputy Minister, Vice Chairman of the Ethnic Committee; leaders of An Giang province, especially the presence of 250 official delegates representing more than 97,000 ethnic minorities in the province.

An Giang has a population of over 2 million people, including 29 ethnic groups, of which 4 main ethnic groups are Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, Cham, who have lived together for a long time. Over the 192 years of formation and development of An Giang, the ethnic groups in the province have promoted the tradition of solidarity, patriotic fighting spirit, strived to overcome difficulties and challenges, and made important contributions to the construction and development of the province.

The 4th Provincial Ethnic Minority Congress - 2024 set the target that by 2029, the average income of ethnic minorities will be equal to half of the average of the province; the poverty rate will be reduced to below 2%; 100% of communes, wards and towns in ethnic minority areas will have car roads to the commune center, upgraded with asphalt or concrete; 100% of hamlet and village roads to the commune center will be hardened to meet the prescribed standards; 100% of ethnic minorities will have access to the national grid and other suitable power sources; over 90% of ethnic minorities will have access to clean water for daily life; 100% of ethnic minorities will have access to television and radio.

By 2029, the proportion of ethnic minorities of working age who receive vocational training suitable to their needs and conditions and have stable income will reach 35-40% (of which at least 50% are female workers). The poverty rate among ethnic minorities will decrease by 3%-4% each year. There will basically be no more extremely disadvantaged communes and hamlets; over 90% of communes in ethnic minority areas will meet new rural standards. Eliminate temporary housing and dilapidated houses in ethnic minority areas. Plan and arrange safe housing for ethnic minority households residing in areas at risk of landslides; prevent degradation and pollution of the ecological environment.

The congress also set a target of 100% of communes, wards and towns in ethnic minority areas having cultural activity houses; 90% of hamlets and villages having community activity houses; 50% of hamlets and villages having traditional cultural and artistic teams, operating regularly and with quality. In addition, over 95% of commune-level cadres and civil servants in ethnic minority areas have intermediate or higher professional qualifications; over 90% of cadres and civil servants are trained in ethnic knowledge according to 4 subjects.

The Congress also set the goal of planning, training, and building a team of ethnic minority civil servants and public employees in line with the local population ratio. Ensuring that the proportion of ethnic minority civil servants and public employees working in provincial agencies, organizations, and units is 20% or more; at district, town, and city levels is 25% or more; and at commune, ward, and town levels is at least 15%.

Deputy Minister, Vice Chairwoman of the Ethnic Committee Nong Thi Ha spoke at the Congress.

Speaking at the Congress, Deputy Minister, Vice Chairwoman of the Ethnic Committee Nong Thi Ha praised the efforts and achievements that the Party Committee, government and ethnic minorities of An Giang province have achieved in the past time. Especially the efforts of ethnic minorities in An Giang province, contributing together with ethnic minorities nationwide to continuously carry out the renovation, protect and build the homeland.

Ms. Nong Thi Ha suggested that the Party Committees and the Government of An Giang province continue to promote the achieved results, continue to concretize and fully implement the Party and State's policies and guidelines to ethnic minorities in an effective and practical manner, especially policies on economic development, culture, education and health care for ethnic minorities.

For ethnic minorities, Ms. Nong Thi Ha hopes that, from the policies of the Party and State, the ethnic minorities will continue to be self-reliant, self-reliant, constantly strive to develop the family economy; preserve the national cultural identity; continue to build and foster the great national unity bloc. Especially, do not believe, do not follow, do not let bad people take advantage of, entice them to participate in activities against the Party and State, harming the country.