Vietnam will continue making more active and responsible contributions to United Nations efforts for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung told the UN Resident Coordinator and heads of UN agencies in Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on October 23, ahead of UN Day.
Hung said Vietnam attaches importance to the UN's central and irreplaceable role in global governance. He praised the broad and substantive results of cooperation since Vietnam joined the organisation almost 50 years ago.
Vietnam's two strategic 100-year goals and its drive for double-digit economic growth must be accompanied by stable, sustainable development and a better quality of life for all citizens.
The priorities include overhauling the growth model, improving competitiveness and raising growth quality. Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are to be the main drivers. The approach links growth with social progress and equity, human development, and reforms in education, health care, culture and social affairs. Vietnam also aims to protect the environment, adapt to climate change and secure energy supplies.
Vietnam will continue taking part in UN peacekeeping operations, promote an initiative for an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development, support UN reform, implement the Green One UN House agreement and work with the UN to establish the Regional Counter Cybercrime Hub for the Asia-Pacific region in Vietnam.
The prime minister urged UN agencies to use their specialised expertise and global partner networks to help Vietnam obtain knowledge and funding, policy and legal advice, cooperation in science, technology and innovation, and access to and gradual mastery of strategic technologies. He also called for a deeper Vietnamese role in global AI governance.
He asked the UN to support Vietnam's push for a green and circular economy, energy security and a just energy transition; a workforce suited to the digital era; policies on population ageing, the green transition and climate adaptation; and smart, sustainable agriculture.
The prime minister called on both sides to finalise soon the Vietnam-UN sustainable development cooperation framework for 2027-2031, in line with Vietnam's development priorities.
UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis called Vietnam an increasingly important and constructive multilateral partner that has moved from being an aid recipient to an active contributor to the UN.
She welcomed the messages delivered by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam at the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Tamesis also congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic gains and practical contributions to international peace, security and development through peacekeeping, multilateral cooperation, South-South cooperation and the sharing of development experience.
The UN also credited Vietnam with a pioneering role in efforts to reform the organisation and active engagement in global digital transformation and AI governance. Tamesis supported the priorities outlined by the prime minister and said the UN stands ready to support Vietnam in its new growth phase.
The World Health Organisation's chief representative praised Vietnam's focus on workforce development and its rollout of Resolution 72-NQ/TW, which sets out measures to strengthen health protection and care. The WHO pledged support for grassroots health care, digital transformation in the health sector and responses to public health challenges.
The UNESCO chief representative pledged support for Vietnam's science, technology and innovation, ethical and equitable AI use, implementation of Resolution 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training, and cultural cooperation.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation's chief representative commended Vietnam's contribution to global food security and promised support for sustainable agriculture and South-South cooperation.
The UN Development Programme's chief representative committed to further support for Vietnam in overhauling its growth model, adapting to climate change, improving policies, mobilising financing for the Just Energy Transition Partnership, advancing the green transition and building worker and business capacity.
Vietnam and UN agencies will work together to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the UN in 2027.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
