ASEAN puts social development as a top priority, people-centered and effectively implements SDGs

ASEAN is committed to building a resilient, inclusive, people-centered ASEAN community and effectively implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam, speaks at the discussion session. (Source: Vietnam Mission to the UN)

On September 28, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA, the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly's Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs opened and held a Discussion Session on social development issues.

At the meeting, many countries said that, in the context of the international community facing many complex and intertwined global challenges, member countries need to unite, cooperate, and join hands to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build a world of peace, sustainable development, and inclusiveness.

With a broad agenda covering a wide range of issues, discussions at the Commission will play an important role in shaping future events such as the Future Summit (2024) and the Social Summit (2025).

On behalf of ASEAN, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized that ASEAN always puts social development as a top priority and is committed to building a resilient, inclusive, people-centered community and effectively implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Accordingly, ASEAN has made great progress in economic growth, development and continuously improved the quality of life for people in the region. At the same time, ASEAN has continuously made efforts and implemented many measures and initiatives through regional cooperation frameworks such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD), the Regional Framework and Action Plan to Implement the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection, the ASEAN Declaration on Gender Equality and Family Development, the ASEAN Commission on Women Action Plan 2021-2025, the ASEAN Master Plan 2025 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, etc. to promote social development and ensure the rights of women, youth, persons with disabilities and the elderly in the region.

Discussion session at the Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs of the United Nations General Assembly, September 28. (Source: Vietnam Mission to the UN)

Representing Vietnam in her national capacity, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized that Vietnam always puts people as both the subject and the goal and driving force in all development policies.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese representative highlighted Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in implementing the SDGs, eradicating poverty, ensuring social security and people’s rights. At the same time, he reaffirmed that Vietnam will continue to make efforts to promote social development, ensure people’s rights, and cooperate with other countries and partners in a common effort to leave no one behind.

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