ASEAN praises UN role in development

Speaking on behalf of ASEAN, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of the Vietnam Mission to the UN made the statement at an October 12 debate of the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) under the UN General Assembly in New York. 

She urged the UN to continue working with the ASEAN to implement the joint declaration on comprehensive cooperation, stressing that the cooperation holds significant meaning in the fulfillment of sustainable development targets at regional level in the context of ASEAN member states setting up the ASEAN Community and starting to implement Sustainable Development Goals at regional level. 

The Ambassador shared concerns of many countries over declining financial resources and called on sponsor nations to reiterate their commitment to development assistance, particularly in enhancing capacity for countries of different development levels to cope with global common challenges. 

She welcomed the endeavours to improve the UN development system by increasing collaboration between UN organisations, especially via the “Delivering as One” initiative. 

On behalf of ASEAN, the Ambassador called on the UN as well as UN member nations to further support South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation. 

Earlier on October 8, Ambassador Nga delivered a speech at the general debate of the Second Committee, in which she confirmed Vietnam’s commitments to the realisation of the Development Agenda 2030 on sustainable development. 

She advocates the central role of the UN in coordinating international efforts to address development challenges. 

She also suggested developed countries take the lead in supporting developing ones to implement sustainable development targets through technological transfer, trade facilitation, and capacity enhancement.