This was shared by Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung at the opening session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 (APFSD), held on February 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Sustained economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region has lifted millions out of poverty. However, achieving the 17 SDGs by 2030 remains out of reach for the region, with less than one-sixth of the goals currently met.

In light of this challenge, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), called on the international community to intensify efforts and implement targeted solutions with widespread impact across multiple fields.

She emphasized, “With technology and financial drivers of global growth largely originating from this region, we have the means to achieve sustainable development. Our commitments must therefore translate into concrete actions without delay. Only by working together can we build a future where no one is left behind."

Speaking at the forum, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung stated that the complex global and regional landscape in 2025 would pose huge challenges to the progress of SDG implementation in Asia and the Pacific. This reality necessitates combined efforts and practical steps from nations across the region.

He stressed, “Vietnam hopes that regional countries will come together to discuss and speed up the implementation of the 'Pact for the Future,' which was adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future. This initiative aims to renew commitments to the 2030 Agenda and accelerate progress towards the SDGs by enhancing international cooperation through concrete actions and mobilizing additional financial resources."

Participants at the forum unanimously called for urgent action to mitigate climate risks and strengthen resilience, including a swift transition to renewable energy and the development of a regional power grid.

The forum also highlighted fundamental demographic shifts, particularly the aging population in developing countries. Delegates underscored the need for greater investment in future generations through education, healthcare, and improved job opportunities for young people, as well as fostering intergenerational cooperation to ensure social inclusion for all.

Running from February 24 to 28, the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 will conduct in-depth reviews of progress on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The forum’s outcomes will contribute to discussions at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, scheduled for July 2025 in New York.

Vietnam gathers opinions on building voluntary national review on SDGs

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on March 24 jointly held a consultation conference on Vietnam’s voluntary national review (VNR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG),