National Assembly Vice-Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan discusses institutional reform as part of the Viet Nam Executive Leadership Program

VELP provides a forum for senior Vietnamese policymakers and executives to engage in structured, research-based discussions on key policy challenges confronting Viet Nam with prominent international scholars and business leaders. VELP targets officials responsible for translating strategic-level national objectives into actionable policies. This year’s VELP delegation is especially noteworthy, as it is led by a prominent female leader for the first time.

This is the fifth such senior-level program offered as part of UNDP’s cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Viet Nam. This cooperation has brought about a unique partnership with the Harvard University, which engaged eminent scholars and experts in delivering a tailored course to Vietnamese policymakers. About 100 senior Vietnamese leaders from the three branches of power participated in these courses to date.



In addition to an emphasis on economic issues, VELP’s focus and content during the past five programmes has evolved in line with Viet Nam’s development needs. In 2013 for the first time, there was a stronger emphasis on governance issues. In the 2015 program, the core content is further strengthened with more in-depth discussions around legal and institutional reform.



“Focus on governance issues is not coincidental. As Viet Nam develops economically and socially, citizens demand more from the State; they expect higher-quality services, clearer and more transparent systems and procedures, and more responsive and accountable government,” said UNDP Deputy Country Director Bakhodir Burkhanov, who accompanied this year’s delegation. “We hope this course will continue to provide ideas and directions to participants for the country’s ongoing reform agenda”, he added.



“We highly appreciate the Viet Nam Executive Leadership Programme, jointly organized by UNDP and MOFA, as it has provided opportunities for representatives of the legislative, judiciary and law enforcement agencies’ leadership to exchange views and engage in dialogue with world-renowned professors and scholars, including those from Harvard University of the USA,” said Vice Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. “This year’s VELP, with its focus on policy and law reform, is highly significant in the context that Viet Nam is actively preparing for the XII Party Congress and implementing the 2015-2016 legislative agenda of the National Assembly in order to realize the content and spirit of 2013 Constitution.”



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