Vietnam progresses in global human development index

Despite enduring difficulties faced over the past two years, the country has moved up two places in the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking, rising from 117th place to 115th place. It is among the countries with a high human development index, including China, South Africa, Indonesia, Cuba, Egypt, and Brazil.

Addressing the ceremony, Achim Steiner, administrator of the UNDP, noted that the world is currently living in uncertain times and facing a range of challenges, from conflicts to climate change, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity, all of which have an impact on human development globally.

For the first time in 30 years, the worldwide human development index has fallen in two consecutive years, according to Steiner, who also pointed out a lack of trust and social inequality which have been factors in making it difficult for countries to work together to find solutions to current common challenges.

The UNDP development report, in addition to the impact analysis, also offers three main groups of recommendations aimed at addressing current issues, including increasing investments in nature and human, strengthening insurance and social protection to enhance resilience to challenges, creatively applying science and technology advances for the cause of human development.

Steiner went on to emphasise the need of putting faith in the young generation who will ultimately pioneer and bring new ideas to solve global problems.

Meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN at the ceremony, the UNDP administrator highly appreciated the country’s human development efforts over recent years and its contributions to handling global challenges.

First published in 1990, the UNDP Human Development Report has been made by experts from UN agencies, countries, along with international organisations and non-governmental organisations. The primary purpose of the report is to analyse trends and global contexts that impact human development in various aspects to build and update the Human Development Index for each country in the world.