Vietnam always attaches importance to the United Nations’ central role in building international legal systems, maintaining peace, preventing conflicts and addressing global challenges, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 17.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre, right) meets with heads of UN organisations

He made the statement during his meeting in Hanoi with heads of UN organisations in Vietnam to mark the United Nations Day (October 24) and Vietnam’s 40-year journey as an UN member.

Vietnam makes relations with the UN the top priority in its foreign policy and always sees it as a key partner, PM Phuc affirmed. Vietnam will continue to play an active role in the UN’s efforts in promoting peace, development and human rights.

Vietnam is proud to be among those taking a first step towards “One UN Initiative” and to be home to the UN’s first eco-friendly Green One UN House, he said, citing the fact that most UN agencies had moved into and worked together in the building which helps facilitate the functional teamwork and enhance efficiency of the UN in Vietnam.

UN Resident Coordinator Kamal Malhotra congratulated Vietnam on the four decades of its UN membership and thanked the government of Vietnam for its strong support to the UN reform initiatives, especially the “One UN Initiative”. 

Malhotra affirmed that the UN is committed to endorsing Vietnam in implementing the 2030 Agenda and backing the country in participating in High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development next year. The UN will continue to support Vietnam’s integrated approaches to Sustainable Development Goals through national review and development of the private economic sector, he added.

He expected that the PM will direct relevant state agencies to further simplify administrative procedures, facilitating UN agencies to implement cooperation projects in Vietnam in the time ahead.

PM Phuc highlighted the significance of 2017 which marks the launch of the Vietnam-UN Joint One Strategic Plan until 2021, aiming to support Vietnam in its Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. These are Vietnam’s top priorities, he said.

In the face of many challenges in resources and climate change, Vietnam wants the UN to help in mobilising sufficient and sustainable resources in terms of finance, expertise and skilled personnel, to achieve these priorities.

VNA