At the 78th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok

The 78th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the biggest event in Asia-Pacific, discussed socio-economic issues, promoted regional cooperation, and accelerated the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in each member country and the region as a whole.

With the theme “A common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific”, the annual session focused on core issues in the region, including recovery, strong and sustainable growth, trade and investment promotion, sustainable connectivity and supply chains, innovation enhancement, the opportunities of digital technology, and climate change response.

ESCAP’s assistance for Vietnam

Over the years, ESCAP has provided technical assistance, legal advice, assessments of the socio-economic situation in the region and in member countries, expert training, and development guidance. In Vietnam, ESCAP has provided practical support for socio-economic development policies and strategies and capacity building of staff through training courses and conferences and seminars on macroeconomic policy, social issues, agricultural development, transportation, information and communication, statistics, disaster prevention, and environmental protection.

Many cooperation programs with ESCAP are of great significance, contributing greatly to Vietnam’s socio-economic development and its implementation of sustainable development goals. The organization has helped Vietnam develop a data system to realize sustainable development goals at the national level.

Vietnam’s contributions to ESCAP

Over the years, Vietnam has actively, substantively, diversely, and responsibly participated in all activities and mechanisms of the organization. It has contributed to compiling documents and determining regulations and directions of ESCAP and proposed many comprehensive and long-term solutions to urgent issues in order to promote sustainable development in the region.

Vietnam and ESCAP have maintained a regular high-level dialogue, Mr. Dam said, noting that Vietnam has attended annual meetings of the Commission. In 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh sent a video message to the commission’s 77th session.

Ministry leaders and representatives have regularly attended Ministerial Conferences and High-Level Forums organized by ESCAP.

The Deputy PM was the highest leader of Vietnam to attend a session of the Commission in person in many years, which shows the significance of the event for both sides this year, as ESCAP celebrates its 75th founding anniversary and Vietnam marks 45 years as a UN member. It shows that Vietnam wants to further accelerate its dialogue and cooperation with other members, secure ESCAP's support for Vietnam's development strategies and goals, particularly during post-pandemic recovery, and fulfill the commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Conference (COP26),

Vietnam's participation in the ESCAP session aligns with its policy of promoting and elevating multilateral foreign relations, affirming its activeness, positivity, and responsibility in multilateral mechanisms like the UN, enhancing its position, and contributing to a peaceful, stable environment and to cooperation and development in the region and the world.