Workshop talks good governance towards achieving SDGs

It was part of activities in the project to promote the implementation of OGP initiative in the country funded by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam. 

Christian Brix Moller, a representative from the Embassy of Denmark, in his opening speech, revealed that all member countries of OGP are using the initiative as a tool to improve the national governance efficiency, and increase public confidence in their commitment to promoting publicity, transparency, accountability and corruption combat, towards bringing prosperity for the countries and their people. 

According to TT’s Executive Director Nguyen Thi Kieu Vien, OGP is very necessary as it can support the Government and relevant sides in effectively performing Vietnam’s development goals. 

The OGP promotion group in Vietnam under the coordination of TT is working to find the relationship between SDGs and OGP in order to provide more information about benefits brought by OGP on the way to reach SDGs in the country for the Vietnamese Government and relevant parties. 

The workshop offered a chance for TT to listen to opinions on the main outcomes and initial recommendations, helping the group to continue completing the report in the coming time. 

According to the report, corruption is the serious issue in Vietnam, which draws special attention of the Vietnamese Party and State. 

This poses an urgent need for building and strengthening good governance institutions and enhancing anti-corruption work in the country. 

In May 2017, the Government affirmed its strong commitment to achieving SDGs through approving the National Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. 

Initiated in 2011, OGP is the most prominent international initiative to promote transparency and accountability, and encourage public involvement in State management activities. 

This multilateral international institution has strongly appealed to both developed and developing countries. 

The approach and principles of OGP are very close to and compatible with SDGs, especially those on good governance and transparent institutions in promoting accountability for a peaceful, equitable, and inclusive development society.

Le Dang Doanh, member of the Development Policy Committee of the UN, said the report has shown the compatibility of major orientations, resolutions and laws of Vietnam with the principles of OGP. 

The report should give deeper analysis and complete assessments of difficulties and barriers, helping Vietnam join the initiative in a practical manner, he said.