As a leading multimedia group in Vietnam, the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) is prepared to work closely with UN agencies locally in order to make joint co-operation programmes more substantial and efficient.

VOV President Nguyen The Ky speaks at the working session

VOV president Nguyen The Ky made the commitment during a working session in Hanoi on October 27 with representatives of UN organisations in the country.

Ky introduced UN officials to VOV and its operational model, stating that plenty of foreign embassies in Hanoi have collaborated with VOV over the years to host joint cultural and press events, serving to bring about practical results.

“We would like to co-operate closely with UN organisations in Vietnam and foster co-operation in order to popularise their activities and universal values in the country, as well as to promote interaction between Vietnamese people, especially the youth and the UN together with its member states,” said the VOV President.

Ky went on to assure guests that VOV is well prepared to launch effective communication campaigns alongside UN agencies to achieve the ultimate goal of building a better life for Vietnamese people.

UN Resident Coordinator Kamal Malhotra addresses the event

In response, Kamal Malhotra, resident co-ordinator of the UN in Vietnam, noted the role VOV plays in UN activities domestically, saying the press serves as an important communication channel that brings UN and Vietnamese people closer, especially during the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

He expressed hope that joint co-operation programmes will allow UN agencies operating in the nation to better understand the needs and aspirations of local people in order to better cater to their tastes and various needs.

VOV President Nguyen The Ky (R) hands over a gift
to UN Resident Coordinator Kamal Malhotra.

During the course of the working session, the chief representatives of a number of UN agencies made recommendations for co-operation with VOV moving forward.

Elisa Fernandez, head of the Office for UN Women, gave a presentation on the protection of women and girls in disaster areas, gender equality, along with women’s health and livelihoods, emphasising that communication remains very important in this domain.

UN agencies representatives make recommendations
for future cooperation with VOV

Dr. Park Kidong, chief representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, made three recommendations for upcoming communication co-operation with VOV. According to the WHO official, cleaning polluted air, ridding the air of cigarette smoke, and ensuring traffic safety by reducing driving after alcohol consumption should be addressed.

Meanwhile, the representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) singled out the VOV Traffic Channel for its role in detecting and preventing crime, adding that they expect closer co-operation with VOV in this area in the future.

VOV and UN officials pose for a photo at the working session.

The UN has established a number of agencies in Vietnam to support its development efforts. They include UNDP, ILO, UN Women, WHO, UNIDO, UNAIDS, UNESCO, IOM, UNFPA, UNODC, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, and IFAD.