A Vietnamese senior official has emphasised the need to further expand international cooperation to meet millennium development goals and sustainable development when addressing an UN meeting.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Bich Dat was addressing a high-level debate of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development’s 18 th session in New York .

Taking place from May 3-14, the session dealt with thematic issues on transport, chemicals, mining, waste management, and sustainable production and consumption.

Referring to challenges facing Vietnam and other developing countries in these areas, such as lack of information, data and inadequate infrastructure,
Dat underlined that the “one UN” initiative should be multiplied to boost coordinating work at international and regional levels and assist nations’ sustainable development efforts.

He emphasised that developed countries should help developing countries with technology transfer, capacity building and financial assistance and that national coordinating mechanisms should be strengthened to create a driving force and enhance cooperation between concerned parties, including the government, the private sector, civil social organisations and donors.

Regarding climate change, Dat noted that climate change will deter Vietnam ’s sustainable development course as the country has been identified as one of the countries in the world most affected by the phenomenon and that the Vietnamese Government has adopted a national programme to deal with the matter.

Discussing green economy, he said while the concept of the green economy is being clarified, the Vietnamese Government has already included the development of green economy in the nation’s 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy.

He affirmed that with international assistance, Vietnam has kick-started research on low-carbon development models and committed to continuing to implement the Agenda 21 Programme on sustainable development.

Apart from joining in discussions on waste management, production and sustainable development, the Vietnamese delegation took part in sidelines activities.

They participated in a round-table conference on green economy held by UNIDO and the Philippine Government, and another on urban planning issues, regarding waste management, transport, environmental infrastructure, and land use.

The Deputy Minister held a working session with the Environment Deputy Minister of the Republic of Korea to discuss bilateral cooperation in green economy and the fight against climate change.

The ROK official affirmed that his country will continue to assist Vietnam , particularly in green economy./.