She made the remark while talking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead President Luong Cuong’s trip to the US from September 21 to 24, during which he will attend the high-level general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and engage in bilateral activities.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s remarkable journey, Wignaraja noted that Vietnam has shown the world how a nation could move beyond conflict, draw lessons from the past, and focus on peace and stability.

Vietnam has united as a strong nation where everyone has an equal place, she said, adding that these values resonate deeply with the UN and UNDP.

She emphasised that the world needs more voices like Vietnam’s, demonstrating that development and reconciliation can go hand in hand.

The official underlined that as a person highly admiring and respecting Vietnam, she hopes the country will hold a greater global role, contributing to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and support for less fortunate countries because when Vietnam faced hardship, others extended help, and today, Vietnam is in a position to give back.

Looking back on the long-standing partnership, Wignaraja recalled that UNDP has been present in Vietnam since 1978, setting up one of the first UN offices here. It has accompanied the country through reforms since the early Doi Moi (Renewal) period, from supporting institutional changes to improving public service capacity, all of which have contributed to Vietnam's development.

She said the next stage of cooperation should focus on governance reforms, strengthening the judicial sector, boosting the domestic capital market, and developing human resources.

Yesterday’s skills may not be enough for tomorrow. Education must innovate to prepare young Vietnamese for global competition, she noted.

On sustainable development, the UN official emphasised that Vietnam could show the world that economic growth not necessarily come at the expense of the environment. Prosperity must be for both people and the planet, she said, noting that Vietnam has the potential to become a model for others in this aspect.

Regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Wignaraja described them as a continuous journey rather than a final destination. She welcomed Vietnam’s integration of the SDGs into national plans but highlighted the importance of local-level implementation, saying the merger of administrative units doesn't mean the sustainable development journey is disrupted.

She also addressed concerns about the so-called “middle-income trap”, noting UNDP prefers not to use the term. In her view, it creates a sense of helplessness that does not reflect the reality in Vietnam or many other countries in the region. Instead, she described it as a “mental trap” that could be overcome with determination and right policies.

The bigger question is not just whether Vietnam becomes a high-income country, but whether its people are happy, she continued.

For her, true progress must be measured by equitable development opportunities, strong social cohesion, and a shared aspiration to advance together, not only in major cities but across all regions.

Concluding, Wignaraja stressed that Vietnam’s greatest asset lay in its people. If Vietnam continues to invest in human capacity, aspirations, identity, and equality, the country will achieve breakthrough success in future, she said.

Vietnam supports UN General Assembly's operation reform

VOV.VN - The UN General Assembly discussed reforming the operations of the General Assembly on November 10 under the chairmanship of Dennis Francis, president of the 78th General Assembly, with the participation of UN member nations.