Vietnam aims for Rio+20 sustainable development goals

Vietnam is striving to realize the 2011-2020 sustainable development goals set at the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20).

Nguyen Thi Thuy, a senior official from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (PMI), made this statement at a Rio+20 review conference in Hanoi on July 11.

Ms Thuy said that top priority will be given to training human resources, developing a green economy, reforming State management, and improving institutions to ensure sustainable socio-economic growth.

She emphasized the need to urge business circles, socio-political organizations, occupational associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to get involved in working towards the sustainable development goals. She also said it is necessary to expand external relations and develop partnerships with other countries to promote the cause.

Other delegates at the conference highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in saving energy, the effective use of natural resources, poverty reduction, rural development, and climate change adaptation. This progress, which has been applauded by the international community, has actively contributed to achieving the sustainable development goals, they added.

VN, Cambodia step up religious cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has expressed the wish for further religious cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in the near future, helping to consolidate and strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

At the reception for Venerable Tepvong, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia, in Hanoi on July 11, Phuc spoke highly of important contributions made by religions during the national construction and defence in each country, contributing to fostering traditional solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the nations.

Vietnam respects the people’s religious freedom and always upholds the ethical and cultural values of religious belief, which is the spiritual demand of the people. Religious followers are part of the great national unity, Phuc said.

Tepvong expressed gratitude to the support and assistance from the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people to the Cambodian people. He also pledged to do his utmost to tighten bilateral ties.

Vietnam attends Hong Kong Summit Forum

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Nam Hai participated in the 2nd Hong Kong Summit Forum, which opened on July 1.

The forum, themed “Regional cooperation between Hong Kong and East Asia ”, has attracted some 800 participants from 13 East Asian countries and territories.

In his opening remark, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Liang Zhenying, said that over the past decade, East Asia has developed a strong momentum for global growth.

Despite the European debt crisis and the downturn of the US economy, the Asian region’s growth is expected to attain 6.9 percent this year and 7.3 percent next year, he said.

However, Liang noted that to maintain this position, the regional economies need to strengthen cooperation to gain higher economic returns.

Speaking at the event, Hai briefed about Vietnam’s outstanding achievements over recent years, especially in regional and international integration.

He affirmed that Vietnam is well aware of the connectivity and importance of its regional and international integration, which he said will bring great benefits to Vietnam in particular, and the region and the world in general.

The Vietnamese Government will continue to provide the best conditions on policy, mechanism and the business and investment environment to boost regional cooperation for mutual benefit, he said.

German diplomat awarded culture insignia

The First Secretary at the German Embassy in Hanoi, Susanne Lada’a, has been presented the insignia ‘For the Cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism,’ in recognition of her contribution to promoting cooperation in these fields between the two countries.

The insignia was awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a ceremony in Hanoi on July 11.

During the ceremony, Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai said that German and Vietnamese joint initiatives in culture, sports and tourism have developed well, helping to strengthen the relationship and strategic partnership between both countries in many fields.

As First Secretary in charge of culture, Susanne Lada’a successfully organised German Year in Vietnam in 2010 and the 2011 German Festival, as well as implementing a project to exhibit rare archaeological finds, discovered in Vietnam over the years, in Germany, said Ai.

The Deputy Minister said he hopes that after finishing her tenure in Vietnam , Susan Lada’a will continue to promote Vietnamese culture, sports and tourism.

Lada’a responded by saying she will always try to strengthen friendship and bilateral cooperation between both countries in culture, sports and tourism, especially the future archaeological exhibition in Germany during 2014-2015.

VNN/VOV/VNA