At the reception (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh has expressed wish that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will actively offer assistance to Vietnam, one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, in the future.
Hosting a reception in Hanoi on August 30 for UNDP Resident Representative Pratibha Mehta, Thinh hailed her guest’s efforts in boosting ties between Vietnam and the UNDP as well as the implementation of the united action reform initiative with the establishment of the Green One UN House.
She appreciated the UNDP’s provision of urgent humanitarian relief for victims of drought and saline intrusion in the Central Highlands, the south central region and the Mekong Delta.
The Vietnamese State will strive to successfully achieve the UN sustainable development goals, she said, adding that she believes the UNDP will continue standing side by side with Vietnam throughout the process.
The host also gave nod to the UNDP and UN organisations’ plan to switch their cooperation status with Vietnam from donor to fair development partner, but suggested that the process should be done gradually since Vietnam is facing challenges from “middle-income” trap, climate change and natural diasters.
Mehta, for her part, asked Vietnam to devise a long-term solution to mitigating the consequences of climate change.
The UNDP wishes to help the Vietnamese government and partners carry out national plans against climate change with a focus on precautionary measures, she said.
Meeting the Vice President the same day, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations Haoliang Xu praised Vietnam’s significant role in shaping and adopting resources for sustainable development until 2030.
According to him, it is the first year Vietnam has begun delivering its commitment to the UN sustainable development goals and embarked on a five-year national development road so that the UN and the UNDP in particular are reviewing the country’s efforts to offer continued support.
As Vietnam remains a middle-income country, the UNDP will continue offering added-value support to the country and serve as a bridge connecting Vietnam with international organisations, he said, adding that the UNDP will continue to be a trustworthy partner to improve the country’s business climate and help it deal with any possible risks.-VNA
