Anti-poverty goals spur sustainability

Speaking before representatives of 193 UN member countries, Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh said the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals could only be achieved successfully in an environment of peace and security on the basis of respect for international law. She said Vietnam always considered people as the driving force for development, adding special attention is paid to the most vulnerable.

"Currently Vietnam has 1.4 million disadvantaged children, millions of people with disabilities, and hundreds of thousands of Agent Orange victims needing our help. Following the Vietnamese tradition of helping the less fortunate, our constitution and laws have recognised and included regulations to ensure equality for people, especially the vulnerable. In addition, we also have target programmes and state projects to assist them and help them improve their lives", said Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

The vice state president also added that Vietnam will contribute actively to the work of the council, by implementing the 2030 Agenda and ensure, according to the session’s slogan, that ‘no-one be left behind’ during the country’s development

Vice state president Thinh also shared with the participants the effects of climate change on Vietnam and assured that Vietnam will fulfil its promise of cutting emissions and protecting the environment.

The vice state president also met with representatives from the UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific as well as the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN and the overseas Vietnamese community in New York during her visit. She visited and presented the Vietnam Friendship Medal to Merle Ratner, an Agent Orange activist.