UNGA 81: Vietnam and ASEAN emphasise people-centric social development
WVR - On October 6, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA, the annual general discussion session of the Third Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) took place, focusing on social, humanitarian, and cultural issues.
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| Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, delivers a speech. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, spoke on behalf of ASEAN on the topic of social development. The Ambassador emphasized that ASEAN always considers social development a key priority and has achieved many positive results over the years.
The Ambassador stated that as ASEAN embarks on the first year of implementing the ASEAN Vision 2045, it is promoting a more comprehensive and cohesive approach to social development, focusing on strengthening social welfare, bridging the digital divide, proactively adapting to an aging population, empowering youth, and enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities.
The Ambassador affirmed that ASEAN will continue to work closely with the United Nations within the framework of the ASEAN-UN Action Plan for 2026-2030, contributing to turning commitments on social development into concrete, sustainable results that bring tangible changes to people's lives, especially vulnerable groups.
On the same day, in a national capacity speech, Ambassador Do Hung Viet emphasized Vietnam's consistent policy of placing people at the center of development, linking economic development with ensuring welfare and improving the quality of social services.
The Ambassador highlighted some notable achievements of Vietnam, including reducing the multidimensional poverty rate to about 1.3% by 2025, achieving over 95% health insurance coverage, providing free public education from preschool to the end of high school, and implementing free periodic health check-ups nationwide.
The Ambassador stated that Vietnam is also accelerating digital transformation to expand access to social services, gradually narrowing the gaps between regions and population groups.
Ambassador Do Hung Viet emphasised that to effectively implement the commitments made in Doha, it is essential to ensure adequate, stable, and more favorable financial resources for developing countries to maintain investment in social development; enhance international cooperation in technology transfer, digital infrastructure, data, and human resource development, highlighting South-South and tripartite cooperation; while emphasizing the proactive role of each country, ensuring international support aligns with the specific priorities and conditions of each nation.
The Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam will continue to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations and partners, contributing to turning commitments on social development into practical, sustainable outcomes for a better life for all.
