Vietnamese Government Praised for Pioneering SDGs Implementation by Countries Worldwide

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

Vietnam’s success in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) was a focal point of discussion at a dialogue between countries and UN Resident Coordinators and the UN Country Team (UNCT) held in New York on May 24. Participants shared their perspectives on the successful partnership between the two entities.

Notably, Vietnam has achieved multiple successes in its collaboration with the UN. These successes have been achieved through strong coordination and cooperation between the two parties, which has enabled the country to benefit from the UN’s expertise and resources. This has enabled Vietnam to overcome a range of challenges and to make progress in areas such as health, education, sustainable development, and poverty reduction.

Overall, the dialogue provided a platform for countries and UN representatives to exchange ideas and experiences regarding successful collaboration between governments and the UN. In addition, it provided an opportunity to discuss potential areas of cooperation and ways to improve the effectiveness of the partnership in the future.

The VietnamPlus news outlet reported that the event took place within the framework of a meeting of the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, highlighted the country’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized that Vietnam is committed to continuing to make progress and contribute to global efforts in achieving the SDGs.

He also lauded the contributions of UN Resident Coordinators and agencies in Vietnam in terms of policy recommendations and resource mobilization, as well as in promoting dialogues with relevant sides while implementing programmes and policies on sustainable development.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

Giang stressed that governments should take the primary responsibility for realizing the SDGs, with people at the center of all policies, programmes, and targets. By doing so, governments can create a positive social and economic impact that will benefit all citizens.

The ambassador proposed that United Nations agencies, especially resident coordinators, step up coordination activities to help countries raise their competitiveness and establish new partnerships to facilitate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation.

He underscored the need for adequate, durable, and secure funding for UN agencies and resident coordinators to carry out their activities.

On May 24, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) held a joint consultative conference to review Vietnam’s voluntary national review (VNR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was reported by VOV.

An overview of the conference. Photo: VOV

Vietnam conducted the Voluntary National Review (VNR), a mechanism through which countries assess and present national progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda, for the first time in 2018. This year, in 2023, Vietnam will submit the report along with 41 other countries.

Naomi Kitahara, Acting Resident Representative of the UN in Vietnam, praised the Vietnamese Government’s innovative use of data resources, employing comprehensive analysis and engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the VNR 2023.

The UN encourages the Government of Vietnam to continue to develop and implement follow-up actions to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs after the VNR is completed. Photo: VOV

She pointed out that investing in social welfare and energy transition alone can accelerate progress on the SDGs. The UN estimates that each dollar invested in social security can generate more than one dollar of GDP, ensuring greater socio-economic benefits, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth and leaving no one behind.

The UN encourages the Government of Vietnam to continue to develop and implement follow-up actions to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) after the Voluntary National Review (VNR) is completed, she said./.