ESCAP always attaches importance to partnership with Vietnam

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, executive secretary of the UN ESCAP, made the statement during a working session held on March 22 with Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh, concurrently the Permanent Representative of Vietnam at ESCAP.

During the course of the meeting, the two sides discussed the topic of the 78th ESCAP meeting slated for May along with future co-operation between the country and ESCAP.

The session is an annual meeting in which member states can consider and discuss all socio-economic issues and regional co-operation in areas of shared interest, featuring the participation of many senior leaders from countries, the UN, and international organisations.

Guided by the theme “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, this year’s session represents an opportunity to discuss and shape the future of regional co-operation centred around a new form of multilateralism and regional co-operation.

ESCAP will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of its establishment this year, with the 78th session marking the culmination of the commemorations. As the Commission approaches this landmark milestone, it is poised to engage in dialogue on the future of regional co-operation to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and deliver on its promise of leaving no one behind. As countries stand at a crossroads with building back better within reach, the Commission will also offer a space to identify and discuss the mechanisms and means in which to develop the resilience of people and nations across the Asia-Pacific region in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Alisjahbana emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting co-operation and connectivity, especially in the context of the global conflicts and divisions, with regional partners facing plenty of difficulties in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery.

The executive secretary of ESCAP stated her great appreciation for the country’s role and contribution in stepping up co-operation, maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and throughout the world.

She expressed her positive feelings about Vietnamese efforts and determination to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially the nation’s strong commitments on climate at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP26).

Alisjahbana stated her hopes that Vietnam will actively participate in the 78th session, share its best practices and experience, whilst simultaneously contributing to promote co-operation and development in the Asia-Pacific region. She also noted her organisation’s readiness to work closely with the Embassy of Vietnam to well prepare for the 78th ESCAP session.

In response, Ambassador Thanh affirmed that the country has always been a reliable and responsible partner of ESCAP and will actively become involved in the 78th session as well as in the joint activities of ESCAP and the Asia–Pacific region.

The Vietnamese diplomat also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for ESCAP's support of Vietnam over recent times, especially programmes and projects on policy consultation, technical assistance and capacity building for various ministries, sectors, government agencies, and the National Assembly.

The Ambassador said that like many other developing countries, Vietnam is facing currently many challenges and difficulties, especially with regard to implementing its commitment to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050 and achieve sustainable development goals in 2030.

He expressed his wish that ESCAP will continue to support and mobilise international partners to support the nation in terms of resources, technology, and experience.

The local diplomat shared Vietnamese concerns and outlined his hope that ESCAP would have an assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine on the implementation of sustainable development goals of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.