Consultation Workshop on Draft Report of Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Viet Nam’s SDG Implementation 2023

Madame Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment;

Esteemed Government Delegates, Excellencies;

Development Partners and Colleagues in the UN System.

I am delighted to join you this morning, on behalf of the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations in Vietnam, for the consultations on the draft Voluntary National Review (VNR) report. At the outset, I am pleased to convey the UN Country Team’s sincere appreciation to the Government of Viet Nam for the unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and other partners who have contributed to the preparation of the VNR report and in the organization of this important consultation on the draft report.

The VNR process is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the progress and discuss challenges for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Viet Nam. It is a platform to also help us identify emerging issues that need to be collectively addressed, and seize opportunities to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs. As often emphasized, the VNR is not an end, but it is a means to embody a whole-of-society approach in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As we review the second draft of the VNR report, I would like to share our global experience in term of what constitutes a good VNR report. These are analytical, inclusive, and evidence-informed. To this effect, I commend the Government of Viet Nam for utilizing innovative sources of data, drawing on in-depth analysis, and convening diverse stakeholder engagement.

In this effort, the UN is pleased to have provided specific technical inputs and data, including the tracking and assessment of the SDG progress and an analysis of who might be possibly left behind in Viet Nam’s sustainable development journey. We will continue to support policy dialogues on priority SDGs investments and much-needed communications and advocacy to sustain attention on these key priorities.

Distinguished guests,

Since the launch of Viet Nam’s National Action Plan for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Viet Nam has made considerable progress across various goals. Based on the National SDG Progress Assessment conducted jointly by the UN-ESCAP-MPI, Viet Nam has made substantial strides in Goal 1 – eradicating poverty; Goal 6 – providing clean water and sanitation; Goal 9 – developing industry, innovation and infrastructure; and Goal 10 – reducing inequalities. If the current pace of the progress is maintained throughout the remaining period, Viet Nam will be on track to achieve most of the targets under these goals.

However, our analysis to date shows that goals 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, and 14 risk themselves of falling short of the targets in Viet Nam. Also, we must watch out for some goals such as Goal 7 – access to affordable and clean energy; and Goal 15 – improving life on land as the achievements that Viet Nam has made over the decades may start to be reversed. Moreover, for some goals such as Goals 13, 16 and 17, we do not seem to have sufficient data to monitor and assess the progress.

Therefore, as the UN system in Viet Nam, we think it is pivotal that solid, immediate and additional investments are required for Viet Nam on the following:

1. expanding universal healthcare, quality education, and social protection;

2. reducing inequalities further;

3. mitigating climate change impacts and environmental degradation;

4. promoting green energy and energy efficiency;

5. mobilizing development finance; and

6. meeting the data gap for nearly 40% of all SDG indicators.

Here, let me point out that investment just in social protection and energy transition alone can accelerate the SDGs progress. The UN estimates that every Vietnamese Dong invested in social protection can generate more than one Vietnamese Dong in GDP, assuring greater socio-economic returns, contributing to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, and leaving no one behind through the creation of job opportunities, protection of people’s livelihoods, improved access to social services, and enhanced business performance.

Distinguished guests,

The UN is very much encouraged by the commitment of the Vietnamese Government through the Ministry of Planning and Investment in terms of going well beyond the production of the VNR report, and developing and implementing the follow-up actions to accelerate the achievement of SDGs. The UN stands ready to provide technical and financial support to the Government for SDGs achievements by 2030.

We have only 7 years left towards 2030. We must not spare any time but roll up our sleeves together to make sure that Viet Nam’s progress towards achieving SDGs is accelerated; Viet Nam’s socio-economic strategy and plan are fully implemented; and Viet Nam is spearheading with its sustainable development objectives in coming years. 

Thank you! Xin cam on!