Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong (R) (Photo: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – The UN wants to support Vietnamin its development of a sustainable and inclusive economy, said Kamal Malhotra,UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam.
He made the statement at a meeting with National AssemblyVice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong in Da Nang on December 17, on the sidelines of atwo-day conference titled “The National Assembly (NA) and sustainabledevelopment goals (SDGs)”, which opened in the city on the same day.
Lauding Malhotra’s participation in the event, Phonginformed her guest that the NA’s recent sixth session had discussed investmentand growth contents that closely followed the country’s commitments to the UNSDGs.
She stressed that activities held by the NA always receiveassistance from UN’s associated agencies and organisations in Vietnam.
She said Vietnam is facing challenges in mobilising fundsfor climate change adaptation and difficulties in carrying out its investmentpolicies on infrastructure, electricity, water, and transport development inareas populated by ethnic minorities, particularly mountainous, border, andisland locations.
The NA Vice Chairwoman hoped that the UN and UN DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) in particular would support Vietnam in assessing the impactsof climate change and putting forth urgent measures to handle the issue alongcoastal areas from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau.
Phong said she hoped the UNDP will work with Vietnam inorganising capacity-building programmes to help NA deputies boost their skillsand knowledge on international laws.
For his part, Malhotra highlighted that the UN is committedto assisting and sharing experience with Vietnam.
He said he hoped that both sides will soon establish aworking group to run field trips in the northwestern region, particularly SonLa province, to study local ethnic minority communities.
Underscoring climate change response as a top priority, Malhotrasaid the UN has built short-term action plans for it and will collaborate withthe Vietnamese Government in tackling the challenge. The UN’s Green ClimateFund is willing to support related short-term solutions, including the buildingof houses for Vietnamese people in flood-hit locations. –VNA
VNA
