Vietnam is strongly committed to working with other member states and the United Nations for a comprehensive and implementable post-2015 development agenda aiming to eradicate poverty, achieve inclusive economic growth, promote social development and preserve the environment for future generations. Vietnamese Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN, made the commitment at the third Committee of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly on Agenda item 27: Social Development in New York on October 7-8. “As the 2015 deadline for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaches and the international community is working to define the post-2015 development agenda, there is an urgent need for the international community to take prompt and effective actions to deal with unemployment and social inequality, and ensure social protection,” he said. Development experience in every country shows that in designing the post-2015 development agenda, adequate attention must be paid to the issues related to growth and the establishment of a favorable international trade and financial environment, he added. Applauding the achievements made by countries in realizing MDGs, Trung noted that there remain serious social challenges with enormous complexity and consequences. He also highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in promoting and ensuring the rights of the disabled and elderly as well as its efforts to create jobs for young people. The diplomat also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the Copenhagen Declaration and Program of Action, and the initiatives adopted by the General Assembly at its 24th special session. At the debate, participants voiced concern about negative impacts of the global financial crisis, rising food prices and climate change on efforts to reduce poverty and generate jobs, thus affecting the fulfillment of the MDGs. (vov.vn Oct 9)
