The activity was part of the Vietnamese leader’s working to attend the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly and conduct bilateral activities in the U.S.
At the ceremony, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan and heads of three leading U.N. development agencies – UNDP Administrator Alexander de Croo, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita – exchanged the Country Program Documents (CPD) for the 2027–2031 period between the Government of Viet Nam and these respective agencies.
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General Secretary and President To Lam, together with Vietnamese officials, witnesses the exchange of cooperation documents between Vietnam and the U.N. in New York on September 22, 2026. |
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang and UNDP Administrator Alexander de Croo exchanged an agreement amending and supplementing the 2012 agreement between the Vietnamese Government and the UNDP on the renovation, upgrade, and use of the Green One U.N. House in Hanoi.
Besides, representatives from the Ministry of Public Security and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) exchanged a letter of intent regarding the establishment of an Asia-Pacific regional counter cybercrime center in Viet Nam.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary and President To Lam appreciated the invaluable support and cooperation that U.N. organizations have extended to Viet Nam over the years.
He emphasized that these contributions are significant not only in terms of resources but, more importantly, through the sharing of knowledge, experience, and innovative ideas and solutions, all of which have helped improve the people's quality of life and solidify the foundation for the country's sustainable development.
He affirmed that the signing and exchange of the Country Program Documents for 2027–2031 mark the beginning of a new chapter in the partnership between Viet Nam and the three U.N. organizations. This serves not only as a framework guiding programs for the next five years but also as a strong commitment to translating strategic goals into concrete actions and tangible results that bring practical benefits to the people.
Stressing the 2027–2031 period as pivotal for Viet Nam following 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), the leader stated that the country is striving for a breakthrough to achieve its 2030 development goals, thereby laying the groundwork to realize the aspiration of becoming a developed nation with modern industry and high income by 2045.
On this journey, Viet Nam looks to the UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA to continue leveraging their respective strengths, expertise, and global networks in partnering with the country in development model innovation, digital and green transitions, resilience building, adaptation to population aging, and the empowerment of women and youth, he stated.
General Secretary and President To Lam expected these three U.N. agencies to remain trustworthy partners, facilitating Viet Nam's access to advanced knowledge, technology, and resources, while strengthening internal coordination within the U.N. system to generate comprehensive and long-lasting impacts.
Viet Nam will remain an active, proactive, and responsible member of the international community, he said, adding that it will continue to provide headquarters facilities to U.N. organizations in the country free of charge, and also welcomes these bodies to establish national or regional representative offices and to host major global events in Viet Nam.
They country stands ready to share its development experience with other nations through cooperation mechanisms, working together towards a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and people-centered world, the top leader remarked.
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General Secretary and President To Lam addresses the event in New York on September 22, 2026. |
In their speeches, the heads of the UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA expressed admiration for Viet Nam’s development journey and outstanding achievements, pledging to continue supporting the country in seizing epoch-defining opportunities in a timely manner.
They expressed their hope that Viet Nam will actively share its development experience through South–South and trilateral cooperation mechanisms, and that it will make even greater contributions to the shared development goals of the international community.
Source: VNA