Vietnam shares post-pandemic recovery experience at UN

Presenting the Vietnam Study Case, Giang noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down economic development, exacerbated many other challenges, and made the recovery task more difficult. Global issues such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, epidemics, food and energy crises have posed a threat to national development strategies.

In that context, he said the Government of Vietnam has adopted many measures to protect people’s health, effectively control the pandemic and ensure social security financial packages introduced to support businesses, employees and vulnerable groups in society.

Thanks to the vaccine diplomacy strategy put in place, Vietnam has acquired vaccines from COVAX, the United Nations and international partners for its largest vaccination campaign in history, ensuring all citizens have got basic shots by March 2022.

Despite limited finance, the Government has prioritized resources for implementing international climate action towards net zero emissions commitments by 2050. It has mobilized financial resources and technology transfer by entering into a just energy transition partnership to raise US$15.5 billion for climate action.

Briefing distinguished guests on the outcomes, Ambassador Giang said Vietnam has successfully contained the pandemic and rebooted its ailing economy, with GDP growth reaching 8.02% last year, the highest in the past 10 years. The country effectively maintained macroeconomic stability and debt management. The poverty rate decreased by 1.2% compared to 2021, and Vietnam was among countries with a high human development index.

He attributed the success to the country’s self-reliance and its efforts to protect and improve the livelihoods and environment for the people through maintaining political stability, the macro-economy and social security to ensure no one is left behind.

Along with internal resources, Vietnam has mobilized external resources through promoting international cooperation, foreign investment and free trade agreements, with a primary focus on priority areas.

On this occasion, he lauded effective cooperation between Vietnam and UNDP over the past 45 years, affirming UNDP is one of Vietnam’s most important and reliable partners on its development and integration path.

During the exchange, representatives of UNDP and other participating countries highly appreciated the achievements that Vietnam has recorded in post-pandemic economic recovery and climate change response through introducing and implementing reasonable and timely policies. They thanked Vietnam for sharing its experience in building an autonomous and independent economy, as well as in promoting close and effective partnerships with UNDP in various aspects of sustainable development.