(MPI) - Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York on July 14, and presented the Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Vietnam’s implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in 2023.

He also met with representatives of the US government agencies, organisations, businesses, investment funds and large corporations to boost cooperation in innovation and technology; research, exchange experiences and seek resources to build an international financial centre; and call for investment in high-tech projects in Vietnam.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung speaks at the forum. Photo: VNA

Vietnam strived to accomplish the SDGs with the core principle of “leaving no one behind”

In his speech, Minister Dung emphasised that the process of preparing Vietnam’s second VNR was conducted through 10 steps to mobilise the participation of all relevant parties from the beginning and ensure the presence of their roles and voices.

The second VNR’s objectives are to share the progress of the SDGs realisation; crucial changes and advances compared to the first ones; as well as difficulties, challenges and important orientations to promote the implementation of the SDGs in the coming time.

According to the MPI Minister, all 17 SDGs have been integrated into the 10-year National Socio-Economic Development Strategy and 5-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan, National Master Plan 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, and sectoral development plans, policies and strategies.

Viet Nam’s planning systems from national, sectoral to local level are organized in synchronization and uniformity toward inclusive and sustainable growth, remove unnecessary barriers and business conditions; improve investment attraction and ensure effective implementation of the country’s international commitments.

The entire political system and society have strived to accomplish the SDGs with the core principle of “leaving no one behind”, and have gained certain achievements, especially in goal number 1, 6,  9, 10, 16 and 17.

He highlighted six solutions for Vietnam to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs by 2030. Firstly, placing people at the center of the development process, both as a goal, a driving force and resource. All decisions, policies, and actions must be directed towards the happiness of the people. Mobilising all stakeholders in achieving the SDG implementation with a focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable communities to alleviate poverty and reduce inequality. Vietnam has been strongly implementing three National Target Programs including sustainable poverty reduction, rural development, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Secondly, prioritising science, technology, and innovation as a decisive lever for successful SDG implementation to 2030 and sustainable development of humankind in the long term. In Vietnam, this is an important one of the three strategic breakthroughs that the country is pursuing and strongly promoting along with institutional reforms, infrastructural development and develop high-quality human resources.

For example, Vietnam established the National Innovation Center (NIC) in 2019 with the aims to nurture and develop startup ecosystem and innovation, contributing to transformation of Vietnam’s economy, developing digital economy and promoting sustainable development.

Thirdly, improving the quality of human resources through development of equal, inclusive, and comprehensive educational and vocational training system. Optimizing the demographic dividend of the currently golden population structure where there is abundance of young labor force who are industrious, hardworking, intelligent, responsive, and highly adaptive to science, technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. However, Vietnam is facing a huge challenge of imbalanced sex ratio at birth, a core issue that need to be addressed soon to avert negative long-term consequences.

At the forum. Photo: VNA

Forthly, strengthening the management and efficient use of resources, environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural disaster prevention and mitigation; as well as promoting the development of digital, green and circular economy towards fulfilling global climate goals and commitments. In particular, the adoption of the Political Declaration on establishing a just energy transition partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and International Partners Group will make important contribution to the realisation of Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 at the COP26.

Fifthly, mobilising and effectively using financial resources including domestic and international, public and private sources, official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI), as well as the contributions of organisations and communities to the SDGs. Vietnam calls on developed countries to fulfill their commitments to provide ODA to developing countries up to 0.7% of gross national income (GNI).

At present, Vietnam is exploring the possibility to establish regional and international financial centres in Vietnam to attract more financing, accelerate economic transformation and bring the nation to higher levels of the global value chains.

Sixthly, continuing the availability of data, especially data on disadvantaged population groups, environment, and climate change, to serve the monitoring and evaluation of the SDGs implementation. This can be carried out through the integration of the SDGs indicators requiring data into national statistical surveys, enhancing the use of administrative data for statistical and research purposes, using non-traditional data sources such as big data. Moreover, digital technology will be adopted to enhance data collection, management, and dissemination. In this connection, Vietnam calls for additional support and technical assistance from development partners and the UN system in improving the data availability for SDGs.

Minister Dung affirmed, with the above-mentioned key solutions and priorities, Vietnam commits to continue strengthening its role as a responsible member of the international community, actively contributing to joint efforts so no individual or country is left behind in sustainable development journey. The country looks forward to continuing the collaboration with all partners to realise the SDGs for all by 2030, he went on.

Many countries, international and non-governmental organisations spoke highly of Vietnam’s presentation. They expressed their impression on Vietnam’s second VNR, asking the country to share its experiences regarding energy transition, the role of social organisations, policy adopting for VNR, and its efforts to implement the SDGS of “leaving no one behind”.

At the working session with the US business. Photo: MPI

Promoting cooperation in innovation and technology; research, exchange experiences and attract resources to building an international financial centre

On the sidelines the HLPF in New York on July 14, Minister Dung had separate meetings with representatives of New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Moody’s, the Financial Services Volunteers Group (FSVC), SpaceX, Medtronic, Brooklyn Navy Yard and KKR Investment Fund.

Minister Dung and Patrick Santillo, Vice President/CEO of the Business Council for Promoting International Relations (BCIU), chaired a roundtable on orientation and investment cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and the US. He also worked with Professor Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics in 2001, and had a meeting with the Vietnam Innovation Network in the US.

During the working sessions, the Vietnamese minister affirmed that relationship between Vietnam and the US is in a good stage of development. This is an important foundation for boosting economic, investment and trade cooperation, bringing benefits to both sides. He expressed his hope that in the coming time, Vietnam will attract high-quality projects from US investors in order to enhance its enterprises’ capacity to participate in the global value chain.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment and other Vietnamese agencies pledge to accompany and try their best to remove obstacles facing the US enterprises. He said, Vietnam will continue have synchronous solutions to improve the investment climate, ensuring the effective and successful production and business of foreign investors./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment