Your Excellency Mr. President,

            Your Excellency Mr. Secretary General,

 

            My delegation wishes to thank H.E. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the presentation of the important report “Resilient People, resilient planet: a future worth choosing.”  The leadership of H.E. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in this undertaking has again illustrated his commitment to and efforts towards the promotion of development in the work of the United Nations Organization. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank distinguished members of the High-level Panel co-chaired by Her Excellency Madame Tarja Halonen, the former President of Finland, and His Excellency Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa for their work in preparing the report.

            The report comes at a very important juncture the life of nations as humankind has acquired new, immense capabilities and is at the same time confronted with enormous challenges of which many have presented new, serious difficulties over the last several years.  The finding that the path of sustainable development is a wholesome response to today’s multi-faceted and interconnected challenges can be supported by realities in every part of the world. 

            The pressing need for the integration of economic growth, social equality and environmental integration has been underlined in numerous  discussions and decisions at the United Nations and major international conferences as well in national development strategies.  In the course of comprehensive reforms since the mid-1980s, Viet Nam has obtained encouraging achievements in various areas.  At the same time, weaknesses have emerged and  we deem sustainable development as essential to address them and continue with the comprehensive reforms in the years to come.

            The recommendations contained in the report provide both important perspectives and concrete measures.  It is notable that the report places an additional emphasis on empowering people to make sustainable choices and strengthening institutional governance to support sustainable development.  The recommendations are indeed significant contribution to both the formulation and implementation of development policies at the national and international levels.  Viet Nam is willing to work with H.E Secretary General, the United Nations and other partners in the appropriate follow-up to the report. 

            I thank you for your kind attention.