A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong attended an annual ministerial meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York , the US , from July 7 – 11.

The event discussed ways to deal with ongoing and emerging challenges so as to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Opening the session, ECOSOC President Martin Sajdik called upon all countries to continue reasling their MDGs commitments.

He stressed that poverty, inequality and issues relating to sustainable development, public governance and the role of law in development need more in-depth discussions among ECOSOC member nations.

In a report on MDGs, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said although many of the goals are about to be fulfilled, the implementation level varies among countries and regions.

He appealed for building a comprehensive post-2015 development programme which needs to cover economic, social and environmental aspects, the three pillars of sustainable development.

At the session, Deputy Minister Phuong delivered a speech sharing Vietnam ’s experience in meeting MDGs and conveying its policy of combining green growth, social welfares and environmental protection.

He said in the post-2015 development agenda, the UN needs to focus on solving common challenges such as ensuring peace and stability, dealing with climate change impacts, and creating an international economic climate that is more favourable for developing countries.

The official reiterated Vietnam ’s pledge to engage in the progress in an active, proactive and responsible manner.

The Vietnamese delegation also shared other developing countries’ concern over the middle income trap and highlighted closer cooperation in disaster and climate change prevention and mitigation.

Set in 2000, the MDGs include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.

UN member nations have pledged to meet all the goals by 2015.-VNA