Vietnam's efforts in economic development and poverty reduction are worthy of recognition.

UN rapporteur Surya Deva has praised the Vietnamese Government's efforts in poverty reduction, job creation and increasing social security coverage.

Báo cáo viên đặc biệt của Liên hợp quốc (LHQ) về quyền phát triển Surya Deva

United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva. (Photo: DN)

At the end of his 10-day visit to Vietnam, on November 15, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva held a press conference with Vietnamese and international press and media agencies on the topic "Vietnam's efforts for sustainable economic development".

Impressive progress in multidimensional poverty reduction

According to UN Rapporteur Surya Deva, despite being negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts, Vietnam is making impressive progress in reducing multidimensional poverty. The country is also making progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing emissions to meet its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Mr. Surya Deva commented: “Vietnam's efforts to develop the economy and reduce poverty are worth noting, but Vietnam should do more to facilitate people's participation in economic, political, social and cultural development.”

During his long visit to Vietnam, UN Rapporteur Surya Deva praised the Vietnamese Government's efforts in poverty reduction, job creation and increasing social security coverage.

UN experts also highly appreciated the active efforts of the Vietnamese Government in building a legal framework, promulgating legal documents and policies related to the right to development. Some new contents of Vietnamese law have a positive impact on promoting gender equality, especially regulations related to combating sexual harassment, domestic violence and violence in the workplace. The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has issued a roadmap to reduce gender-based violence.

Mr. Surya Deva was also impressed by Vietnam's progress in science and technology development, especially the steps in digital transformation. The policies have had a positive impact on the changes of many businesses. During his visit to businesses such as Cam Hoa solar power plant, Formosa, Vintech..., he felt that businesses have paid more attention to technology, the impact of production on the environment and workers.

Panorama of the press conference with the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva. (Photo: DN)

Crisis response action

In terms of difficulties and challenges, the UN Special Rapporteur highlighted three aspects: process, participation and planet. According to Mr. Surya Deva, the Vietnamese Government needs to improve the approval process for current projects, including those funded by development partners and international non-governmental organizations, to implement the sustainable development goals to ensure that those in need in different provinces and cities benefit more.

Mr. Surya Deva commented that although the Government has made many efforts, the development situation in remote, mountainous areas - where the majority of ethnic minorities live - is still limited in accessing public services.

Commenting on Vietnam's vulnerability to climate change, the UN Special Rapporteur stressed that the Government, UN agencies, development partners, businesses and non-governmental organizations need to work together to prevent a potentially imminent crisis while ensuring sustainable development.

“To ensure sustainable development, governments need to do more to address the planet’s three simultaneous crises of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss,” the UN rapporteur stressed. “We need to adopt truly participatory development approaches – incorporating the principles of inter-generational equity, equitable distribution and self-determination – to achieve a just transition to a green economy.

Moreover, to be fair, NGOs and environmental human rights defenders must be at the heart of that transition.”

The Special Rapporteur's detailed report on the visit and his recommendations will be submitted to the Human Rights Council in September 2024.

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