Bhutan, Thailand and Viet Nam
STATEMENT BY MR. DO HUNG VIET, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF VIET NAM TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON BEHALF OF BHUTAN, THAILAND AND VIET NAM
At the Eighth Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
(New York, 3-7 February, 2014)
Mr. Co-Chair,
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Troika consisting of Bhutan, Thailand and Viet Nam. I would also like to associate our Troika with the statement delivered by the representative of Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. Co-Chair,
2. Since the very start of this Open Working Group, our Troika has underlined the need to reduce inequality as part of the new framework for development, together with ensuring sustainability and building resilience. Indeed, inequalities in economic opportunities and outcomes, within or between countries, and inequalities in political participation clearly pose challenges to not only social and political stability but also a favorable environment for countries to thrive. Reducing inequalities, both at global and national levels, is therefore crucial to ensuring stable and peaceful societies and sustainable development.
3. In that context, we believe that addressing inequalities must be part of the new SDG framework. We favour the “universal approach”, which attempts to reduce inequality by targeting “100%” in all relevant goals and target areas. At the same time, considering feasibility and particularities, we should look at progress, whereby reducing inequalities can be achieved and measured in terms of the gap narrowed.
4. In our view, addressing inequalities should have a focus on promoting inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth. At the global level, this requires a more equitable and transparent international economic system, including fairer and healthier trade and financial systems. At the national level, states should devise policies to address the structural factors that cause inequalities and target the more disadvantaged groups and regions in terms of creating equal opportunities as well as building the capacity to take advantage of those opportunities. We firmly believe that people need to be at the center of development.
Mr. Co Chair,
5. Our Troika attaches great importance to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is not only a matter of social justice but central to sustainable development, as has been recognized in the Rio+20 Outcome Document. Women make up half of the population. Educated, healthy and productive mothers are more likely to bring up healthy, educated, productive children. Hence, investment girls and women is an investment in development with high rewards.
As such, we would like to see a strong element of gender equality and women’s empowerment as part of the overall framework to address inequalities. Special attention should be given to the elimination of violence against women and girls, greater equality in access to resources and social services for women and girls and greater political and civic participation of women.
Mr. Co-chair,
6. The rule of law is an essential enabler for social equity, including gender equality, and for overall sustainable development. As stated in the declaration of the General Assembly’s high level meeting on the Rule of Law, the advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. At the national level, strengthening the rule of law is a matter of priority for Viet Nam and members of our Troika, Thailand and Bhutan.
7. Lastly, we wish to underscore the importance of peace and stability as the foundation and enabling conditions for sustainable development. Peace and stability do not only come from within a country, but need all stakeholders, most importantly states, to respect and abide by international law as the primary means for conflict prevention and resolution. We would like to see a strong emphasis on the promotion of the rule of law at the international level in the context of conflict prevention and overall framework of sustainable development.
I thank you, Mr. Co-Chair./.
At the Eighth Session of the General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
(New York, 3-7 February, 2014)
Mr. Co-Chair,
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Troika consisting of Bhutan, Thailand and Viet Nam. I would also like to associate our Troika with the statement delivered by the representative of Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. Co-Chair,
2. Since the very start of this Open Working Group, our Troika has underlined the need to reduce inequality as part of the new framework for development, together with ensuring sustainability and building resilience. Indeed, inequalities in economic opportunities and outcomes, within or between countries, and inequalities in political participation clearly pose challenges to not only social and political stability but also a favorable environment for countries to thrive. Reducing inequalities, both at global and national levels, is therefore crucial to ensuring stable and peaceful societies and sustainable development.
3. In that context, we believe that addressing inequalities must be part of the new SDG framework. We favour the “universal approach”, which attempts to reduce inequality by targeting “100%” in all relevant goals and target areas. At the same time, considering feasibility and particularities, we should look at progress, whereby reducing inequalities can be achieved and measured in terms of the gap narrowed.
4. In our view, addressing inequalities should have a focus on promoting inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth. At the global level, this requires a more equitable and transparent international economic system, including fairer and healthier trade and financial systems. At the national level, states should devise policies to address the structural factors that cause inequalities and target the more disadvantaged groups and regions in terms of creating equal opportunities as well as building the capacity to take advantage of those opportunities. We firmly believe that people need to be at the center of development.
Mr. Co Chair,
5. Our Troika attaches great importance to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is not only a matter of social justice but central to sustainable development, as has been recognized in the Rio+20 Outcome Document. Women make up half of the population. Educated, healthy and productive mothers are more likely to bring up healthy, educated, productive children. Hence, investment girls and women is an investment in development with high rewards.
As such, we would like to see a strong element of gender equality and women’s empowerment as part of the overall framework to address inequalities. Special attention should be given to the elimination of violence against women and girls, greater equality in access to resources and social services for women and girls and greater political and civic participation of women.
Mr. Co-chair,
6. The rule of law is an essential enabler for social equity, including gender equality, and for overall sustainable development. As stated in the declaration of the General Assembly’s high level meeting on the Rule of Law, the advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. At the national level, strengthening the rule of law is a matter of priority for Viet Nam and members of our Troika, Thailand and Bhutan.
7. Lastly, we wish to underscore the importance of peace and stability as the foundation and enabling conditions for sustainable development. Peace and stability do not only come from within a country, but need all stakeholders, most importantly states, to respect and abide by international law as the primary means for conflict prevention and resolution. We would like to see a strong emphasis on the promotion of the rule of law at the international level in the context of conflict prevention and overall framework of sustainable development.
I thank you, Mr. Co-Chair./.