(MPI) – On October 21, 2024, the Sustainable Development Subcommittee, within the framework of the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, held its 4th meeting co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and Mr. Mario Ronconi, Director in charge of South and Southeast Asia, Directorate General for International Cooperation, European Commission.
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| Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc speaks. Photo: MPI |
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc highly appreciated the EU for maintaining dialogue activities of the Sustainable Development Subcommittee; emphasizing that this is an important periodic task, contributing to promoting and connecting global solutions in which Vietnam is a very active country, seriously implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Deputy Minister emphasized that sustainable development has always been one of the top priorities of the Party and Government of Vietnam. Vietnam is always persistent and steadfast in its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, wishing to affirm its positive role in stabilizing world peace, responding to climate change and other factors.
Over the past time, Vietnam has promoted change and sustainable development, demonstrated through many consistent policies of the Party and State, realized through 5-year and 10-year socio -economic development plans and strategies and policies towards achieving SDGs by 2030, promoting climate change adaptation and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Regarding the strong development cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the EU, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc emphasized that the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement has demonstrated the deep and positive cooperation relationship between the two sides, creating a suitable legal framework to promote cooperation in all aspects of politics, trade, science, technology, education, etc.
The two sides also regularly discuss the implementation of high-level agreements in many fields. Currently, Vietnam and the EU are effectively implementing 4 cooperation agreements and 8 dialogue mechanisms. Vietnam is the first ASEAN country to have all pillars of political, economic and defense cooperation with the EU.
After 4 years of implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the EU has become Vietnam's 4th largest trading partner and vice versa, Vietnam is the EU's largest partner in the ASEAN region.
With the Sustainable Development Subcommittee holding regular meetings, the Deputy Minister suggested that the EU consider discussing and supporting Vietnam in implementing a number of key goals, such as soon narrowing social inequality, improving technology level, providing financial support for technology transfer, resources, and overcoming environmental problems.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc expressed her hope that the EU will increase financial support for developing countries, including Vietnam, to achieve global common goals on climate and sustainable development; and continue to strengthen extensive cooperation between the two sides to promote green economic development.
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| Mario Ronconi, Director for South and Southeast Asia, Directorate-General for International Cooperation, European Commission. Photo: MPI |
Mr. Mario Ronconi agreed with the sharing of Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and said that this is the most appropriate opportunity for the two sides to review and re-evaluate the implementation plan of the Cooperation Program between Vietnam and the EU in the period of 2021-2027.
For institutions cooperating with Vietnam, the EU always wants high-quality investment to connect businesses on both sides, using appropriate financial tools to support Vietnam in implementing climate and environmental goals. The EU will also continue to pay more attention to vulnerable groups to quickly achieve sustainable and inclusive development goals.
Mr. Mario Ronconi said that Vietnam's economy has achieved impressive growth, playing an important role in the ASEAN region, and expressed his hope that Vietnam will continue to create a favorable, open and transparent investment and business environment, removing barriers in the legal and institutional framework so that investment activities of EU enterprises can be improved and further promoted.
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| Overview of the meeting. Photo: MPI |
Sharing about Vietnam's Policy Framework for Sustainable Development, the representative of the Ministry of Planning and Investment updated a number of Vietnam's priority areas for transformation and investment, such as innovating the growth model and promoting private investment; promoting social security and sustainable employment so that no one is left behind; transforming the food system; promoting energy access and transition to renewable energy; enhancing the protection of biodiversity and natural resources; promoting digital transformation.
Regarding green growth, in general, the mechanisms, policies and legal foundations for green growth are relatively complete. The organization and coordination of the implementation of the Green Growth Strategy have been effectively implemented; resource mobilization for green growth has been promoted; communication and awareness raising about green growth have been focused on.
Vietnam's role, position and contribution to global green growth have been enhanced. Vietnam ranks 13th out of 43 Asian countries in the Green Growth Index in 2022; ranks 2nd among developing countries in terms of capital investment in renewable energy.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation issues within the framework of the Sustainable Development Subcommittee, such as policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation; circular economy development; skills and human resource development towards sustainable development; the implementation status of strengthening governance and institutional reforms to support sustainable development; and updated progress on the implementation of technical cooperation programs.
Representatives of Vietnamese ministries and sectors highly appreciated the EU's support and close cooperation to jointly implement cooperation projects, bringing practical benefits to a number of localities; affirmed that they will proactively coordinate with relevant agencies, propose more appropriate and open mechanisms and policies to accelerate the progress of joint projects between the two sides. The EU also expressed hope to soon complete a number of agreements currently under negotiation, thereby helping Vietnam to quickly seize opportunities to spread positive impacts to many different sectors and professions./.
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