President Truong Tan Sang shared Vietnam’s experience in developing agriculture and sustainable rural areas during a high-level event on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit in New York on September 26. In his speech to the event – co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Republic of Korea – President Sang called on developing countries to outline rural development strategies that take their limited resources and budget into account, adding that with nearly 70 percent of its population living in rural areas, Vietnam has been implementing a national programme on new rural development with 19 criteria boosting infrastructure and income. Sharing Vietnam’s relevant experience, the leader emphasised strong political commitment, community involvement, personnel training, diversification and utilisation of resources in an open and transparent manner and in the motto “known by the people, done by the people, inspected by the people and benefited by the people”, as well as Government support to engage businesses and socio-political organisations in the endeavour. According to him, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recently adopted by the UN Summit reflects the aspiration of a world free from hunger and poverty. Vietnam has strongly advocated for adding the goal of increasing investment in rural infrastructure, animal and plant gene banks to improve the farming capacity of developing nations and bridge the income gap between rural and urban areas, he stated. While in New York, President Sang also met Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during which the two leaders agreed to provide effective support for each other for the sake of global peace and security. The Vietnamese leader suggested facilitating visits by businesses and trade and investment promotion in highlight fields, including garments, leather and footwear, farm produce, aquaculture, plants and animal breeding, cotton materials, fibre, oil and gas, construction and materials. Berdimuhamedov expressed his wish to strengthen multifaceted coordination with Vietnam and agreed with President Sang’s suggestions. In another meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the Vietnamese President affirmed that his Party and State continually treasure their traditional friendship with the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) Party and Mozambican State. He asked for an increase in all-level visits, especially by ministries, local authorities and businesses, to explore collaboration possibilities through specific and practical means, as well as pledged all possible support to joint-ventures, including the telecoms provider Movitel and a project on planting food trees in Mozambique from 2013-2017. Speaking highly of Vietnam’s underway projects in Mozambique, President Nyusi said joint ventures, which are to continue receiving government incentives, will help expand bilateral ties in other potential fields, including oil and gas, transport, education, maritime affairs and the construction of sea ports. He unveiled that the Mozambican Transport Minister will arrive in Vietnam shortly to discuss specific cooperation measures. They promised to work closely at multilateral forums for the benefit of developing countries. On the occasion, President Sang thanked Mozambique for backing Vietnam’s bid for a seat at the UNESCO Executive Council for the 2015-2019 tenure, the UN Economic and Social Council for 2016-2018 and the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. Meeting Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, the Vietnamese leader said the two countries should continue all-around engagements via all-level visits and exchanges. To facilitate trade between Vietnam and Sweden, and Europe in general, he asked Sweden to promptly sign the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement and push for the European Commission to recognise Vietnam as a market economy. Vietnam is willing to be a bridge for the EU and Sweden to boost their relationships with ASEAN, he confirmed, adding that Vietnam is seeking further Swedish capital inflow into the country in its strong suits, including clean and renewable energies, transport, banking-finance and medical equipment. The country also expects to receive more official development assistance via the United Nations or the World Bank in response to climate change and gender equality. On high-quality personnel training in forestry, energy, bio-technology, medicine and media, the President hoped that Sweden would continue assisting Vietnam and promoting student exchange and cooperation models between universities and research institutes. Turning to regional and global issues of shared concern, he requested Sweden support ASEAN and Vietnam’s position on the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Also the same day, the President met Vietnamese nationals, students and diplomats living and working in the US.-VNA