In his speech, Deputy PM Dam said Vietnam has scored comprehensive achievements during the renovation and is considered the world’s second fastest growing economy by the international community. 

Vietnam is also hailed as a spotlight in the fulfillment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as well as preparations for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which he said, is attributable to tireless efforts of Vietnamese people and support of the international community, including foreign scientists.  

He also expressed his gratitude to scientists for providing the Party and State with scientific grounds used for making of policies serving the national development. 

According to him, peace and cooperation are still a key global trend today but there remain latent risks such as sovereignty and religion conflicts, non-traditional security, climate change and epidemic diseases, which require nations to join hands on the basis of respect to international law, national sovereignty, interests and culture. 

Vietnam currently faces national resources depletion, environment pollution, inequality in terms of access to basic services, and moral degradation, he said. 

Looking toward sustainable development, Dam suggested bringing into play personal creativity, technological advances and cultural richness. 

During the two-day event, participants are due to discuss six fields of global diplomacy, cooperation and integration; cultural resources; education and human resources; knowledge and technological transfer; economy and livelihoods; and climate change. 

Suggestions at the event will be submitted to relevant ministries and agencies for reference in their making of plans and policies for national development.

VNA