Vietnam, ASEAN highlight people-centered social development
VOV.VN - Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN has emphasized Vietnam's consistent policy of placing people at the center of development, coupling economic growth with social security and enhanced social service quality.
On October 6, the annual general debate of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (Third Committee) of the 81st United Nations General Assembly took place at UN headquarters in New York.
Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, delivered a speech on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the agenda item on social development.
In his address, Ambassador Do Hung Viet stressed that ASEAN consistently regards social development as a high priority and has achieved numerous positive outcomes in recent years. He noted that as ASEAN enters the first year of realizing the ASEAN Vision 2045, the bloc is advancing a comprehensive and cohesive approach to social development, focusing on strengthening social security, narrowing the digital divide, proactively adapting to population aging, promoting youth engagement, and increasing the participation of persons with disabilities.
The Ambassador affirmed that ASEAN will continue coordinating closely with the UN under the framework of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action for 2026-2030, contributing to translating social development commitments into concrete, sustainable results that bring practical transformations to the lives of people, particularly vulnerable groups.
On the same day, speaking in his national capacity, Ambassador Do Hung Viet highlighted notable achievements recorded by Vietnam, including the multidimensional poverty rate dropping to approximately 1.3% in 2025, health insurance coverage exceeding 95%, free public education spanning from kindergarten through high school, and nationwide implementation of routine health check-ups. He stated that Vietnam is simultaneously accelerating digital transformation to broaden access to social services and gradually narrow disparities across localities and demographic groups.
Ambassador Do Hung Viet pointed out that effective implementation of commitments reached in Doha requires adequate, stable, and accessible financial resources for developing countries to sustain investments in social development.
He also called for enhanced international cooperation on technology transfer, digital infrastructure, data, and human resource development, leveraging South-South and triangular cooperation, while upholding the proactive role of each nation to ensure international support in line with specific national priorities and conditions. The Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam will continue stepping up cooperation with the UN and partners, contributing to turning social development commitments into practical, sustainable outcomes for a better life for all.
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