Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc has led a Vietnamese delegation to the 74th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 11-16.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc attends the event

The event, themed “Inequality in the era of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” attracted more than 500 delegates from member countries, United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental and international organisations and embassies.

Speaking at a discussion relating to policies to address inequality in Asia-Pacific, Ngoc said to deal with this issue, it is necessary to maintain a peaceful and stable environment based on international law.

High political determination is essential to improve institutions and policies and turn the viewpoint of sustainable development into a long-term and regular orientation as well as integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all national people-centered strategies and programmes, he stressed.

He called on nations to increase investment in human resources and underdeveloped sectors while improving the management quality of public investment to bring benefits for people, especially those living under the poverty line.

He also emphasised the importance of the enhancement of global partnership for sustainable development, in which the UN and international organisations play the promoting and coordinating role while developed countries will support developing nations in improving capacity, transferring technology, facilitating trade, and accessing capital sources to realise the UN SDGs.

Ngoc highlighted Vietnam’s concerted efforts to reform administrative procedures and fine-tune legal institutions, creating favourable environment for all organisations and individuals.

The Southeast Asian country has also built a national plan to implement the SDGs and a national programme on sustainable property reduction and new-style rural areas building for the 2016-2020 period in order to narrow gaps between residents in urban and rural areas and help disadvantaged people gain access to preferential credit packages and enjoy social welfares policies, he said.

While discussing the multilateralism in Asia-Pacific, Ngoc said no single country could address global issues without multilateral approach.

Multilateralism and cooperation are key factors to build an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability, and prosperity, he said, adding that the region should promote rules-based multilateralism and support equal development of global economic administration and open multilateral trade system.

He affirmed the approval of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is considered a remarkable effort of the 11 countries, including Vietnam, in promoting a free, open, equal, transparent, and comprehensive multilateral trade system in the region.

Vietnam is committed to coordinating closely with members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum to implement programmes strengthening regional economic integration, promoting economic, financial and social development, and developing human resources in the digital era.

On the sidelines of the 74th session of the ESCAP, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc had separate meetings with heads of delegations from Afghanistan, Armenia, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to discuss stronger cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy and trade as well as seek their support for Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.-VNA