Thang spoke highly of Li’s leadership in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including his successful chairing of the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The Deputy PM thanked the U.N. for its support to Viet Nam in pursuing the SDGs and highlighted the substantive and effective cooperation between the two sides. He proposed that the U.N. and Viet Nam complete the Strategic Cooperation Framework for 2027-2031 soon, closely aligning it with Viet Nam’s major development orientations and strategies.
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Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang (first, right) has a meeting with U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua. |
Amid slowing progress towards the SDGs globally and in the Asia-Pacific region due to the adverse impacts of overlapping crises, Thang stressed the urgent need to strengthen political commitments, uphold multilateralism and international cooperation, and promote systemic, comprehensive and inclusive solutions to accelerate progress towards the goals.
He also called for greater efforts to ensure developing countries have equitable access to science, technology, knowledge and development resources, particularly amid the rapid global green and digital transitions.
Briefing the Under-Secretary-General on Viet Nam’s development, Deputy PM Thang said the country has proactively and comprehensively implemented key strategies, policies and the national action plan for the 2030 Agenda, achieving initial positive results. The economy has maintained high growth, poverty reduction has made significant progress, unemployment has declined, health insurance coverage has expanded, and primary education has been universalized.
Viet Nam remains steadfast in pursuing sustainable development, he affirmed, placing people at the center and regarding them as both the subjects and driving force of development, while firmly ensuring that no one is left behind.
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Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang (left) and U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua |
To support Viet Nam in achieving the SDGs, Thang called on the U.N. to continue sharing experience in responding to climate change; provide financial and technological support for climate commitments, renewable energy development and the energy transition; and support sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.
He also urged the U.N. to mobilize official development assistance (ODA) more effectively, prioritizing science and technology, digital transformation, climate change adaptation, and high-quality human resource development.
For his part, Li expressed his strong impression of the breakthrough and decisive policies, as well as the Government’s long-term strategic vision, aimed at promoting rapid and sustainable socio-economic development in Viet Nam.
He particularly praised Viet Nam’s commitment and efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advance the green transition and reduce emissions. Li praised Viet Nam’s political determination, sense of responsibility and pioneering role in numerous multilateral forums, saying Viet Nam has consistently been a model and trusted partner, with an increasingly important voice in U.N. bodies.
He affirmed that the U.N. stands ready to step up policy advice, technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing on global governance, while actively connecting Viet Nam with international financial institutions and development banks.
Such efforts will help Viet Nam address development challenges, link the energy transition with climate change adaptation, and realize its goals of sustainable and inclusive development, he said.
Li also affirmed the U.N.’s readiness to coordinate with Viet Nam in 2027, when the country marks 50 years of U.N. membership, stressing that relevant U.N. agencies will continue to be a trusted partner of Viet Nam on its development journey ahead.
Source: VNA