Viet Nam commits to attain MDGs

Concerning the suspension of the Doha Rounds and unbalanced multilateral trade rules in favour of developed countries which caused great disappointments, the Vietnamese representative stressed that it is important to move forward with the international commitment on financing for development to achieve the target of 0.7 percent of developed countries' Gross National Income as ODA to developing countries.

"In addition to ODA, debt relief and issues related to international trade need to be aligned with the MDGs for low and middle-income countries to achieve the MDGs-based targets," Thanh said.

The Vietnamese representative highlighted the UN's important role as the chief promoter of a more open, predictable and equitable multilateral trading system for the benefit of all. " Viet Nam attaches great importance to the restructuring and revitalisation of the economic and social systems of the United Nations ," he said.

Thanh also briefed the meeting on Viet Nam's efforts to integrate in the international economy. He said: "Viet Nam has broaden its cooperation with different international organisations and other countries in the region and the world at large; and actively participate in multilateral forums such as ASEAN, APEC and ASEM. Together with other ASEAN member states, we are proactively working towards the conclusion or full implementation of free trade agreements between ASEAN and its partners, including China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea; the promotion of South-South cooperation, including the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; and the enhancement of closer economic partnerships with the United States, the European Union, Japan and the CANZ group, among others. We have also completed all required bilateral negotiations for our accession to the World Trade Organization, expectedly before the end of this year. To these facts must be added our endeavor to host the APEC Summit in November this year in Hanoi, where the leaders of the Asia Pacific region would get together and release a new plan for cooperation of all the member economies. "

He concluded by reaffirming Viet Nam's commitment to the attainment of the internationally agreed goals, including the MDGs. "We are prepared to dedicate ourselves to working closely with Member States and international organizations to achieve our shared vision of a better world for all. Viet Nam will always stand ready to make its contribution to that end," he said. (VNA)