Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: CPV)

Other representatives praised Vietnam’s human rights efforts and its new role on the UN Human Rights Council. Vietnam is a pioneer in poverty alleviation. Its poverty rate decreased from 58.1% to 7.8% in a decade (2003-2013).
Amidst lingering socio-economic difficulties and a global economic recession, Vietnam still emphasises social welfare and living standard improvement. Vietnam has fulfilled 5 out of its 8 UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule.  

UN representatives applauded Vietnam’s signing of the UN Convention against Torture in November, 2013. Vietnam welcomed constructive recommendations by other UN members and international organisations for its UPR National Report.