Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam attends the high-level discussion of the 78th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Thailand. Photo: VGP

The Deputy PM stressed the need to have a common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia-Pacific, saying people should be placed at the centre of all activities and all decisions.

It is vital to build a social welfare system, ensuring people's full access to basic services, and employment with stable income, and enhancing capacity in healthcare preparedness and resilience, he said.

He called for strengthening regional connectivity, particularly in transport, energy, IT and communications, ensuring supply chain resilience, promoting digital transformation, and narrowing the digital gap.

Dam underlined the importance of promoting innovation and mobilizing resources to realize initiatives, transition to a low-carbon growth model, developing green and circular economy, and responding to climate change.

"We need to promote stronger partnerships, advance multilateral initiatives and close cooperation with international and regional organizations, including ASEAN," Dam said as cited by VGP News.

At the 78th session of ESCAP. Photo: VNA

He suggested ESCAP further promote its role in building and implementing regional agreements and cooperation frameworks, and create an environment conducive to exchanges of knowledge, ideas, and cooperation projects.

Such efforts will better assist member countries in recovery, the official noted.

Dam briefed the delegates on Vietnam’s achievements in the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), citing the Sustainable Development Report 2021 as saying that Vietnam has moved up 37 places to rank 51st out of 165 countries as compared to 2016.

Multi-dimensional poverty has been greatly reduced, coverage of education and essential healthcare services is higher than many countries at the same income level.

The share of renewable energy is rising rapidly, and IT infrastructure has been significantly improved.

Like many countries, Vietnam has managed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, and transitioned to safe and flexible adaptation. Socio-economic recovery has been recorded in most areas, at a rate close to the pre-pandemic growth level.

Along the way, Vietnam has received invaluable support from the international community, including the United Nations, and ESCAP in particular.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at the 78th session of ESCAP. Photo: VGP

Vu expressed hope that Vietnam would continue receiving this cooperation and assistance to realize our aspiration for national development, meet the SDGs and realize its commitments at the COP26, including the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

He affirmed Vietnam will continue to actively, responsibly and effectively contribute to the efforts of ESCAP and the United Nations as a whole, for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world at large.

ESCAP ready to support Vietnam in realising SDGs

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam meets Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. Photo: VGP

On this occasion, Deputy PM Dam met UN Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, according to VietnamPlus.

The Vietnamese official affirmed support for the Bangkok announcement adopted at this year’s session, including the introduction of a common agenda with specific courses of action to promote sustainable development in the region.

Dam asked ESCAP to help developing countries, including Vietnam, in speeding up the realisation of SDGs.

For her part, Armida spoke highly of Vietnam’s role in and contributions to ESCAP, affirming that the Commission stands ready to support the country in realising SDGs, especially via training and data empowerment./.

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