PM Phuc urges G20 members to help developing countries realize SDGs

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the second session themed "building a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future" of the G20 Leaders' Summit held virtually, Ha Noi, November 22, 2020. Photo: VGP

In his remarks, Phuc said that the world is witnessing rapid and profound changes, posing a multitude of new challenges, in which the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed decades of humankind’s achievements, and driven tens of millions of people into or back to poverty.

To rise above these challenges, the Vietnamese Government chief stressed the need to uphold solidarity, build trust, cooperate with good faith, and uphold shared responsibilities towards sustainable and inclusive development, in which no country or individual would be left behind.

Given the fact that diseases, natural disasters, environmental pollution, inequalities, poverty, digital divide, food and water security remain the global challenges, Phuc urged the G20 countries to work closely with the UN, World Bank, IMF and WTO, to foster new development platforms, such as digital economy, circular economy, and green growth, to address the challenges and narrow development gaps.

He suggested that countries ought to uphold high political resolve and make every effort to incorporate the SDGs and climate change commitments into their respective national development programs and plans in order to realize the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Phuc expressed hope that G20 countries will take the lead in providing financial and technological assistance to developing countries, enabling the latter to effectively implement the SDGs, participate in global supply chains, and access markets and concessional loans.

G20 countries should also strengthen cooperation on addressing climate change and environmental pollution, particularly in preventing soil degradation, preserving coral reefs, reducing plastic waste, and sustainably managing water resources, .

According to the World Bank, Viet Nam is among the five countries most severely affected by climate change, rising sea levels, salinization, and extreme weather conditions, particularly in its Mekong downstream –a rice bowl for the food security of the region and the world.

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Viet Nam has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 9% by 2030.

The Government chief said Viet Nam looks forward to collaboration and support from G20 countries and partners in realising the SDGs, tackling climate change, promoting green growth and developing renewable energy.

As peace, stability and cooperation toward prosperity are key to promoting sustainable and inclusive development, Phuc said it can only be achieved when international relations are maintained via a rules-based multilateral system, where countries uphold mutual respect and understanding, promote dialogues and cooperation, and enjoy mutual trust.

In the new normal, G20, the UN and other multilateral institutions can play bigger role in addressing global challenges, PM Phuc stated.

On November 21, PM Phuc also delivered remarks at the Summit's first session themed “Overcoming the Pandemic, Restoring Growth and Jobs”./.

By Quang Minh

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