The Ministry of Planning and Investment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently organised a workshop reviewing results of Rio+20 Conference and working out Vietnam’s Action Plan after Rio+20. On the sidelines of the workshop, Vietnam Business Forum has an interview with Mr Nguyen The Phuong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment about critical topics related to sustainable development. Anh Phuong reports.
Could you tell us more about the results of the recent Rio+20 Conference?
In the framework of this workshop, it is aimed at introducing briefly the results of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development – Rio+20 held last June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Vietnam’s action plan after participating in the Conference.
According to experts, the most important result of Rio+20 is that it has passed many crucial documents reflecting the content and measures to solve some key issues related to 3 pillars of sustainable development which are economic, social and environmental. Accordingly, the conference defined that the goal towards green economic development is a key for sustainable development and poverty reduction. This conference has also given the institutional framework, methods and measures to achieve sustainable development objectives in the future.
Rio+20 is regarded by many world experts and leaders as the summit participated by almost all related sides in the history and an expression of global democracy. This Conference has received 700 commitments for actions to implement the objectives with financial commitments up to US$513 billion from the governments, private sectors and civil society.
Vietnam has been one of the active participants since the first conference in 1992. Could you tell us about Vietnam’s contribution to this Rio+20 Conference?
Vietnam’s report at Rio+20 Conference showed the main contents which are: during the past 20 years, especially the last 10 years, Vietnam has taken advantages of opportunities as well as overcome many challenges to reach great achievements in economic, social and environmental aspects.
Particularly in the current period, the Government has also been committed to implementing sustainable development objectives and international commitments through overall solution in order to again complete institutional system for sustainable development, enhance financial resources and measures to promote and educate people and raise public awareness about sustainable development. Thereby, the Government will gradually improve the role and responsibilities of business community, socio-political-professional organizations, non-governmental organizations and local communities.
After Rio+20 Conference, what are Vietnam’s specific objectives and action plan?
Practice shows that in Vietnam, green growth has been regarded as one of the important issues in sustainable development strategy in the period of 2011-2020 since Vietnam in the future will be one of few countries being badly affected by climate change to the economy. Therefore, developing sustainable economy as well as reducing and preventing climate change effects are the objectives of the Government. Particularly, Vietnam has planned to build green growth strategies aimed at promoting economic restructuring towards using effectively natural resources, and reduce greenhouse emissions through research and application of green technology.
Also, in the coming time, Vietnam will develop a sustainable economy based on 3 pillars identified as economic, social and environmental. However, the orientation of social issues will be the most priority. Accordingly, the strategy of sustainable development in Vietnam has also made 19 priority areas under the three pillars. Also in the implementation process of sustainable development strategies, principles and objectives of international sustainable development have been specified in accordance with the conditions of Vietnam, as well as integrated into strategy, planning and socio-economic development plan of nations from central to local agencies.
Rergarding financial resources, Vietnam has mobilized many sources both local and international to specify the implementation of socio-economic development and environmental development as well as millennium development goals. Especially, Vietnamese Government has started and ensured the implementation of sustainable development objectives in general and the Millennium development goals in particular to people in remote areas and the poor in difficult conditions. The highlight at Rio+20 Conference is that Vietnam has signed commitment and become the founder of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) of South Korea and will participate in the projects as one of main partners.
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