Press Release

Launch of the Voluntary National Review and Policy Dialogue Towards the SDG Summit 2023: National Commitments and Actions

25 August 2023

At the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, the UN Secretary General will convene the SDG Summit on 18-19 September along with other high-level events to galvanize renewed global commitment to accelerate SDG achievements. The Member States are urged to come to the Summit with the “National Commitments to SDG Transformation” to accelerate the SDG implementation, and to fully engage their domestic constituencies in preparation for the summit.

On 25 August 2023 in Ha Noi, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and GIZ (on behalf of the German government), is organizing the “Launch of the Voluntary National Review and Policy Dialogue Towards the SDG Summit 2023: National Commitments and Actions”. As part of the preparations for the SDG Summit, this event aims to not only create a platform for building momentum and engagement with stakeholders for SDG acceleration, but also to provide substantive ideas and identify policy priorities and investment areas to support the formulation of Viet Nam’s “National Commitments to SDG Transformation.”

The 2nd VNR report that takes stock of SDG progress, identifies challenges and outlines policy priorities for SDG acceleration is also launched. The VNR is essential for informing the dialogue on priority policies and transitions that can be translated into national commitments, initiatives and actions for expediting SDG achievements.

Dr. Le Viet Anh, Director-General of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment shared about Viet Nam’s successful presentation of the VNR 2023 and emphasized the positive contribution and extensive involvement and active participation of various stakeholders in the VNR development process, especially the technical assistance from GIZ and the UN in Viet Nam. Dr. Le Viet Anh affirmed that Viet Nam strongly committed to continue promoting the comprehensive implementation of the SDGs through strategies, master plans, plans and policies at the national, sectoral and local levels. At the same time, Viet Nam will identify key priorities and pervasive areas in SDG implementation to guide the concentration of resources and mobilize the participation of stakeholders and the Policy Dialogue is an important starting point for all parties to joint hands to promote the acceleration and innovation in implementation to achieve the SDGs in 2030.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, highlighted that “the UN joins hands with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and GIZ in organizing this dialogue to facilitate sharing of innovative ideas and recommendations in the formulation of Viet Nam’s National Commitments to SDG Transformation. These Commitments will help provide concrete pathways for the Government of Viet Nam and various stakeholders to rescue the SDGs. This dialogue, more importantly, allows us to demonstrate our solidarity and support implementation.”

Mr. Simon Kreye, Chargés d'affaires ad interim at the German Embassy in Viet Nam, remarked: “The German government is very glad to support the event today, which presents an opportunity to embrace the synergy among international organizations towards the same goal of strengthening technical assistance to the Government of Viet Nam on its journey to the SDG achievement in 2030. The Macroeconomic Reforms/Green Growth programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German government, will continue to support the Ministry of Planning and Investment in improving the management of public and private resources for green and inclusive growth, which makes an important contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Viet Nam.”

The event brought together more than 100 participants including leaders and officials from ministries, agencies and sectors at the central and local levels, national assembly, socio-political organizations, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies in Viet Nam, diplomatic missions, development partners, international financial institutions (IFIs), businesses, academia and the media.

-End-

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Nga

Official, Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, MPI

Tel: +84 98 842 5531

Email: thanhnganguyen311@gmail.com

Mr. Trinh Anh Tuan

Senior Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer, United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO)

Tel: +84 90 329 6393

Email: tuan.trinh@un.org

Ms. Nguyen Dao Tuyet Nga

Communications Officer, GIZ in Viet Nam