Mr. Chairman,
Honorable Ministers,
Distinguished delegates,
It is my great pleasure to participate in this High-Level Segment of the 18th Session of UN Commission on Sustainable Development. This cycle provides us with an opportunity to address the issues of chemicals, waste, mining, transport and SCP in an integrated manner.
The themes of this CSD cycle impact upon almost the entire range of human needs and ecological imperatives, including food security, health, climate change, environment, social equity and economic growth and they are challenges to sustainable development. It is crucial that we take this opportunity to share best practices and exchange information, to address the gaps and constraints in implementing Agenda 21, to identify the way forward to achieve sustainable development.
From our practices and discussions last week, I would like to highlight the main obstacles, constraints and challenges facing Vietnam and other developing countries in implementing the themes of this cycle, including insufficient and unavailable of information and data; insufficient infrastructure; insufficient human and technical capacity; lack of awareness and education; limitations in finance, technology and know-how for effective management.
In order to overcome all above-mentioned challenges, we need the greater international co-operation, including North-South and South-South co-operation to achieve MDGs and sustainable development of this cycle themes. We should build upon initiatives such as ?One UN? to encourage co-ordination at regional and international levels. We need a strong UN that enhances efforts of all nations for sustainable development.
We would like also to emphasize the need of increased technology transfer and capacity building on the cluster issues, as well as financial support. Developing countries need the support of development partners with regard to the implementation of CSD-18 thematic components. For developing countries, we should strengthen the national coordination mechanism in order to create synergies and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations and development assistance bodies. We need to develop more
strategic approaches to financing, capacity building and technology transfer in each of the theme.
Mr. Chairman,
In this cycle we also discussed about climate change and green economy. Climate change has seriously challenged our capacity to respond and to achieve sustainable development. Vietnam is one of the most affected countries by climate change. Right now we have to take urgent action to deal with climate change. Our government has promulgated National Target Program to respond to climate change. While a clear definition of a green economy has still to be determined, our government starts to pay attention to this approach. Green economy has been integrated into national socio-eonomic development strategy for the next 10 years 2011-2020. With the support from international donors, we have also started studies on low carbon economy model. We understand that green economy and low carbon economy will contribute to mitigating climate change.
Mr. Chairman,
Vietnam is committed to continue to implement Agenda 21. We do hope that the outcome of this CSD-18 will contribute substantively to the achievement of Agenda 21 and the internationally-agreed development goals, including the MDGs.
Thank you very much for your attention.
