Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet addresses the session. (Photo: VNA) Addressing a discussion on May 15, Viet highlighted opportunitiesand challenges during the process of socio-economic development and implementation of the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development in the region in general and Vietnam inparticular, underlining challenges from climate change in the Asia-Pacificregion and Vietnam.
He expressed concern about severe and profound impactsof the COVID-19 pandemic and current global challenges such as conflicts, foodand water insecurity, natural disasters, biodiversity degradation, and environmentalpollution, on the current process of socio-economic development and recovery, especiallythe implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this context, the Vietnamese representative suggested strengthening regionalcooperation in environmentally-friendly trade and investment, tourism,connectivity, digital transformation and sustainable urban development.
Viet called for closer international collaboration at alllevels in financial support, technology transfer, sharing of knowledge and experience.The international community, especially developed countries, should make strong commitments at the 2023 SDG Summit slated for September in New York, andthe 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in November andDecember in Dubai, he said.
The diplomat also proposed the ESCAP promote its role in hastening thecommitments, coordinate regional cooperation, support regional countries in evaluatingthe progress of SDGs and enhance statistical capacity.
On this occasion, Viet thanked and proposed the international community continue cooperating with and supporting Vietnam in realising the SDGs as well as thecommitments it gave at COP26, and implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
He affirmed that Vietnam will continue to work closelywith the ESCAP and international partners to promote peace, stability andprosperity in the region and the world with the motto of “not leaving anyone behind”.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Viet had meetingswith President of Palau Surangel S. Whipps Jr., and Parliamentary Vice-Ministerfor Foreign Affairs of Japan Akimoto Masatoshi.
Meeting with Palauan Presiden Whipps Jr., Viet said that Vietnam highlyvalued and hoped to bolster relations with South Pacific island nations,including Palau.
Expressing his delight at the progress of the bilateral relationship since the two countries set up diplomatic relations in 2008, with closecooperation and mutual support within multilateral mechanisms, Viet said that thetwo sides should increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, tourism and labour.
President Whipps Jr. said he was impressed by Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, holding that there is plenty ofroom for the two sides to promote their relations. He asked Vietnam to soon open adirect air route linking the two countries to foster people-to-people exchanges, tourism and trade cooperation, while considering the supply oflabourers to infrastructure construction projects in Palau in the time to come.
At the meeting with Parliamentary Vice-Minister forForeign Affairs of Japan Akimoto Masatoshi, the two officials held that Vietnamand Japan have shared high mutual political trust and growing ties in all fields.
Viet thanked Japan for supporting Vietnam in socio-economicdevelopment over the past years, proposing the two sides continue to workclosely together in organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2023.
He thanked Japan for inviting senior Vietnamese leaders to attend the expanded G7Summit and the International Conference on Future of Asia to be held in Japan.
For his part, Akimoto Masatoshi underlined that Vietnam isan important partner of Japan in the region. He suggested the twocountries foster coordination in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks,while supporting each other at multilateral forums./.
VNA
