The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in collaboration with the United Nations in Viet Nam and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)^(*) co-organised a Workshop on the “Dissemination of Viet Nam’s Voluntary National Review presented at High Level Political Forum 2018” on 24th August 2018. The workshop was co-chaired by Dr. Pham Hoang Mai, Director General of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, MPI, Ms. Akiko Fujii, Co-chair of the UN Programme Management Team in Viet Nam, and Dr. Michael Krakowski, Director cum Chief Technical Advisor of the Macroeconomic Reforms/ Green Growth Programme, GIZ. The workshop attracted the participation of representatives from ministries, government agencies, UN agencies, embassies, business community, media, acamedia, NGOs and other international development agencies in Vietnam.

Opening the workshop, Dr. Pham Hoang Mai highlighted “With a high level of political commitment and determination, Viet Nam is confident that it will succeed in implementing the 2030 Agenda for a safer and better life for current and future generations of Viet Nam and for humankind. Viet Nam is also facing many social, environmental as well as other interconnected and emerging challenges. As such, to successfully achieve all 17 SDGs, Viet Nam requires technical and human resources, financial support, as well as strengthened cooperation and exchange of knowledge with the international community.“

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Akiko Fujii commended the Government of Viet Nam’s successful VNR launch and highlighted the importance of wide stakeholder engagement, including youth in particular, and continued high level political commitment towards achieving SDGs. She also encouraged Government of Viet Nam to think bold and innovative to reach solutions, rather than taking a silo and business as usual approach.

Addressing the event, Dr. Michael Krakowski congratulated the Government of Viet Nam on the successful development and presentation of VNR at HLPF 2018 and emphasized “no single country on its own is able to succeed in ensuring sustainable development of our planet. We believe the VNR will contribute to strengthen policies and institutions of government and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.“

Viet Nam’s delegation to HLPF 2018, with support of GIZ and the UN in Viet Nam, led by Mr. Nguyen The Phuong, former MPI Vice Minister, was among 47 countries to present Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the July 2018 session of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York. The 2018 HLPF theme was "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies" and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under in-depth review included SDG6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 11on sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, SDG 15 on life on land, and SDG 17 on Partnerships.

Viet Nam’s 2018 VNR evaluates the progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda and 17 SDGs. The report also analyzes policy gaps  and potential challenges in SDG implemnetation, as well as  presents recommendations to accelerate SDG achievement. This review was prepared on the basis of intensive and extensive consultations as well as constructive participation from numerous stakeholders, including the National Assembly, ministries and related agencies, socio-political organizations such as the Women’s Union and Youth Union, socio-professional organizations, UN agencies in Viet Nam, development partners, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), representatives of the business community, research institutes and scientists. The successful conduction and presentation of Viet Nam’s VNR at HLPF 2018 have shown the great effort and commitment of Viet Nam’s Government in implementing the 2030 Agenda and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.