Full speech by Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son at WGS' session on SDGs in action

SPEECH

BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BÙI THANH SƠN

AT THE SESSION ON SGDS IN ACTION

"Viet Nam's Experience and Achievements in Realizing the SDGs"

Excellencies leaders,

Distinguished delegates,

1. It is my great pleasure to join the discussion on "SDGs in Action".

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Declaration of the UN Summit of the Future 2024 have set out a global vision, affirmed our common shared commitment, and created the momentum for the world to advance sustainable development towards the common prosperous future for humankind.

Like other nations, Viet Nam attaches great importance to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and have achieved them 10 years ahead of schedule thanks to our enormous efforts. We are now fully committed to following through on the SDGs.

From a poverty-stricken, backwards country ravaged by forty years of war and thirty years of embargo, Viet Nam has, thanks to the Doi Moi reform strategy, forged ahead to become the thirty-third largest economy in the world (expanding sixty-fold compared to pre-Doi Moi reform), counting itself among the twenty largest trading economies and emerging as a model for post-war recovery, reconciliation, hunger alleviation and poverty reduction. Cultural and societal development remain top priorities, with strong support for social welfare. Viet Nam has made significant progress in many SDGs, especially concerning poverty reduction, healthcare and education. Viet Nam's Sustainable Development Index (SDI) score ranks it 54^th out of 166 countries, higher than the global average and second in East and South Asia. The poverty rate stands at only about 1.9% according to the multidimensional poverty index. On average, workers' income is growing at 7.4% annually. The gender gap in education and work has been significantly narrowed. Meanwhile, Viet Nam's National Happiness Index has risen 11 places to 54th out of 143 countries.

Given its new posture and growing strength, Viet Nam is taking on an increasingly active in addressing global challenges with positive contributions at various multilateral forums. We are grateful for and appreciative of the effective support and assistance provided by the international community in our national construction and development efforts. Viet Nam will seriously uphold its announced commitments, especially net-zero by 2050. We look forward to the continued partnership and support from international friends in this endeavor.

2. Reflecting on its past journey, Viet Nam has gleaned several valuable lessons: (i) To persistently safeguard our national independence and pursue socialism; (ii) To harness national strength in tandem with favorable global conditions; to tirelessly consolidate solidary; (iii) To actively mainstream the SDGs into national socio-economic development strategies, plans and target programs, and tailor policies to each locality, (iv) To drive scientific and technological development, innovation and digital transformation, and (v) To strengthen international cooperation, secure sustainable financing, and promote public-private partnership.

Distinguished guests,

3. The world is witnessing epochal changes, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Given this landscape, we have no choice but to embrace a new developmental mindset that is sustainable, inclusive and innovative in administration and governance; a new action-oriented and breakthrough approach for sustainable development; and a new partnership anchored in international solidarity, upholding fairness and multilateralism and rooted respect for international law. Keeping this in mind, let me share Viet Nam's perspective for delivering the SDGs:

First, peace and stability are the foundation upon which a prosperous future is built. We must ensure strict adherence to international law and the UN Charter. All disputes must be settled through peaceful means, all conflicts mediated constructively, and all confrontations replaced by cooperation and dialogue. We call on all nations to tirelessly strengthen solidarity, sincerity and trust among nations while upholding dialogue and collaboration.

Second, transformative thinking is essential for building a future-ready world, with a focus on digital transformation, green transition and the reform of global governance. These decisive shifts will help countries, especially developing nations, strengthen their resilience, proactively mitigate risks, and accelerate progress.

With strong commitment to advancing sustainable development, Viet Nam is honored to host the Summit of the P4G - Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 on 16-17 April 2025, and the 16^th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in October this year. We look forward to your active support and participation in these events.

Third, governments must take a lead in linking, mobilizing, harnessing and effectively utilizing all available resources for development, tailored to each country's needs. Developing countries need an additional $4 trillion each year to hit the SDGs by 2030. Meanwhile, investment in sustainable development has fallen by 10% compared to 2023, and may continue to decline. We must prioritize allocating resources to where they are most needed for SDGs. Special attention should be given to comprehensive financial cooperation, financing for development, and support for developing and least-developed countries, especially through concessional loans, technology transfer, capacity building for green growth commitments, high-quality workforce training, trade and investment facilitation, and debt relief for poorer countries.

Fourth, we must uphold international cooperation and multilateralism, and adopt a global, inclusive and comprehensive approach in addressing common challenges. It is imperative to enhance capacity, efficiency and future readiness to keep pace with a changing world.

Fifth, human beings must remain at the center – as key actors, ultimate goal, driving force and most important resource for all policies and actions at every level. Governments must strengthen cooperation in developing shared governance standards and ensure that new technologies serve humanity and contribute to global prosperity.

Distinguished delegates,

5. Sustainable development is a fundamental necessity, an objective trend and a universal goal for all nations. Viet Nam's overarching motto is "not to sacrifice social progress and equality, nor the environment in pursuit of pure economic growth." As such, we pledge to work in unity with other governments and the international community to accelerate the SDG implementation, for a future of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainability for all nations.

Thank you very much.