Prime Minister hosts heads of UN agencies in Viet Nam
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Ha Noi on February 8 for a delegation of ambassadors and chief representatives from United Nations (UN) agencies in Viet Nam led by Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in the country.
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| An overview of the meeting. |
The PM said that Vietnamese people experienced a tough year in 2020 but still with many achievements, noting that the country is dealing with a new COVID-19 outbreak.
He said that the recently-concluded 13th National Party Congress defined the strategy and desire for national development to 2025 with visions to 2030 and 2045. He stressed that in order to meet the country’s goal, the efforts of entire Vietnamese people, as well as support and assistance from the international community, are significant.
Currently, Viet Nam is working hard to curb the latest COVID-19 outbreak that hit the nation since late January, he said, adding that so far, the situation in hotbeds has been basically controlled.
Amid difficulties, Viet Nam treasures the priceless support from foreign friends and hopes to receive more assistance, he stated.
For his part, Malhotra congratulated Viet Nam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress as well as the country’s achievements in controlling COVID-19 hotbeds and protecting people’s health.
He clarified that the UN and Viet Nam have shared sound relations, expressing his belief that the ties will continue to develop in the future.
The UN always prioritises strengthening partnership with Viet Nam and supports the country in the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, expressing his view that vaccine should be global goods that need to be provided free to people.
Lauding Viet Nam’s quick response to the pandemic, he said that the COVAX Programme is ready to deliver first vaccine lots to countries by late February.
He said he hopes Viet Nam will manage to provide the vaccine for 70-80 per cent of the population.
Malhotra said he hailed Viet Nam’s initiative to take December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
He suggested that the Vietnamese Government set up an inter-sectoral mechanism at the highest level to manage people’s health issues and prevent the spread of diseases from animals to human.
Kidong Park, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Viet Nam, expressed determination to accompany with Viet Nam towards a future with strong growth. The WHO commits to continuing to cooperate with Viet Nam in bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, he said.
At the meeting, the ambassadors and representatives affirmed their wish to strengthen the strong coordination with Viet Nam in all fields, while supporting and working closely with the country in its national development.
PM Phuc underlined that the UN ambassadors and representatives are important partners of Viet Nam. He lauded their efforts in promoting ties between the agencies and Viet Nam over the years.
He extended his thankfulness for the support of the international community to Viet Nam in the fight against COVID-19 and thanked the UN and WHO as well as the international community in implementing the COVAX Programme with the allocation of vaccines to 20 per cent of the Vietnamese population. Viet Nam hopes to receive vaccines from the programme soon, he stated.
Regarding the consumption and trafficking of wildlife, the PM clarified that the Vietnamese Government has classified this as a serious crime. The government has directed the strengthening of law enforcement and the implementation of international commitments and conventions in the field, he said, adding that Viet Nam will apply drastic measures to prevent the illegal wildlife trafficking, hunting and consumption. He expressed his hope that the country will receive further support from the international community in the work.
He said that during the 13th Party Congress, the Communist Party of Viet Nam gave a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and underlined the need for the promotion of the country’s role as a responsible member of the international community, especially at the ASEAN, UN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Mekong Sub-Region, while deepening the partnership with important friends and partners.
The PM affirmed that Viet Nam hopes to tighten partnership with international organisations and important partners, suggesting that the UN, WHO and UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) continue assisting Viet Nam in realising Sustainable Development Goals while building cooperation programmes for next periods to suit Viet Nam’s development orientations.
He asked countries and organisations to support Viet Nam in implementing the country’s three strategic breakthroughs as well as dual targets of combating COVID-19 and recovering and boosting socio-economic development.
On the occasion of the New Year of the Ox, the PM wished the ambassadors and representatives good health, happiness and achievements in performing their roles.
(Source: VNA)
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