Sustainable development is an inevitable trend and also necessity during the course of Vietnam’s development, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the conference.
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According to Phuc, the government is scheduled to issue the resolution on sustainable development in 2019 with new focus, aiming to better reflect the actual situation in the new context.
Phuc referred to Vietnam’s adoption of the Strategic Orientation for Sustainable Development (Vietnam Agenda 21) in 2004, Vietnam’s strategy for sustainable development in the 2011 – 2020 and the latest being the national action plan for the implementation of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, in which 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of Vietnam towards 2030 have been set including 115 specific targets.
Phuc stressed Vietnam’s economy should develop at a rapid pace yet remain sustainable. “Not growing fast enough would result in being left behind by other countries. So it is essential for Vietnam to grow at a fast and sustainable rate.”
The PM acknowledged the business community's action plans and initiatives for sustainable development.
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“In 2018, Vietnam’s competitiveness index ranked 77th out of 140 economies, indicating huge work needs to be done in the next decade,” Phuc asserted.
Phuc requested a substantial change in the mindset and awareness of government agencies towards sustainable development, as the ultimate goal would be putting the people at the center of the SDGs.
“We have too many development strategies, leading to the lack of concentration of resources,” Phuc added.
“I requested government agencies and provinces to set up agenda for sustainable development until 2030 with specific tasks,” he said.
Moreover, it is essential to perfect legal framework towards higher competitiveness, poverty reduction, and enhancing the country’s adaption and resilience to climate change.
Vietnam encourages sustainable production and business models, especially clean energy and water projects, he added.
Phuc considered raising qualifications of human resources a priority for sustainable development. “As Vietnam is looking to master new technologies, the human factor must also step up to take advantage of these technologies.”
Vietnam gives priority to innovation and circular economic models, targeting a more effective and optimal uses of natural resources, materials, products and value they created, so that the cost of loss and waste in the economy could be reduced.
