Consultation Workshop on The Draft Report of the Mid-term Review of the National Action Plan on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Opening Remarks by Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator

Vice Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Ministry of Planning and Investment;

•       Mr. Dennis Quennet, Programme Director of the Macroeconomic Reform/Green Growth Programme, GIZ in Viet Nam

•       Honourable Government Delegates, Development Partners, Distinguished Guests

It is a privilege to join you this morning for the Consultation Workshop on the Draft Report of the Mid-term Review of the National Action Plan on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (NAP 2030). 

I congratulate and appreciate the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), particularly the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment (DSENRE), in conducting this important mid-term review of the NAP 2030.

There are only 6 years left to 2030, when we all promised to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a shared promise by every country to work together to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet.

This promise is fading. A fundamental shift is needed – in commitment, financing and action – to put the world on a better path. The time is now!

How are we doing in Viet Nam?

The second Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Viet Nam submitted in 2023 reported considerable progress in various goals and targets, particularly those related to Goals 1, 6, 9, 10, 16 and 17. The report also called for greater investments and expedited implementation for Viet Nam to realize all SDGs by 2030. 

To accelerate efforts, the Government of Viet Nam prioritized two key actions. One, enhancing institutional arrangements for the SDG implementation. And two, refining the Viet Nam SDG Indicators (VSDG Indicators), including data for monitoring implementation.

This year, Viet Nam reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to accelerating SDG implementation. At the 79th session of the UN General Assembly and at the Summit of the Future in September, Party General Secretary, H.E. Mr. To Lam welcomed the adoption of the Pact for the Future. 

The Pact for the Future is about turbocharging the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet. 

What remains to be done?

The Mid-Term Review of the National Action Plan on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (NAP 2030) is an important opportunity to learn from the past and to set a more focused direction. It is also a chance to mobilize stakeholder engagement and resources – financial, technical, and knowledge. And equally importantly, to enhance institutional coordination for accelerated implementation.

Viet Nam is well-positioned to take transformative actions and create breakthroughs to turbocharge SDG implementation by:

1. Putting people at the center of every decision, policy and action
2. Focusing on science, technology and innovation 
3. Investing in human capital development 
4. Improving efficiency in managing resources, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and transforming the economy to be green and circular
5. Mobilizing financing
6. Improving data.

All six priorities, outlined in the 2nd VNR, are envisioned to generate large multiplier effects across SDGs to promote economic prosperity, while protecting human and environmental wellbeing. This is also the reason why the UN in Viet Nam has stepped up support in all six priority areas.

This Mid-Term Review is also an important contribution to the preparations for the new Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP). 

It is therefore timely and highly relevant in our collective efforts to support Viet Nam’s journey to achieve the SDGs by 2030, become a high-income country by 2045 and realize net-zero emissions targets by 2050. 

Thank you! Xin cam on!