VN chairs high-ranking UN dialogue

The dialogue took place within the framework of the Operational Activities for Development Segment in the new Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) cycle from February 24-26.

The session discussed the post-2015 agenda, focusing on sustainable development for UN operational activities for development and the changes required at different levels of the UN system to continue as a major player in international development cooperation.

The ECOSCO devoted the rest of the dialogue to evaluating the operation and coordination of funds such as the UN Development Program, the UN Children’s Fund, the UN Population Fund and the World Food Program.

Speaking with the Viet Nam News Agency, Ambassador Trung, who is also Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, said this is the first time the council has organized an exclusive session on the UN’s development cooperation.

The event is of special significance because at the current time both developing and developed nations around the world are conducting economic reform, the diplomat said.

He underlined the need for the UN to carry out renovations to fulfill the countries’ demands, noting the task is urgent as the UN itself is also facing a range of new challenges.

According to the ambassador, UN organizations and donors have highly valued Viet Nam’s development achievements as well as the country’s cooperation in this field.

At the session, representatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development also described Viet Nam as a success story, said Trung.

Viet Nam’s role has been praised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as well as leaders of UN funds and programs, he said, explaining why the country was selected as the chair of the dialogue.

Kanni Wignaraja, Director of UN Development Operations Coordination Office, said as a rapidly developing nation, Viet Nam has always tried its best to ensure sustainable development.

The country has won middle-income status and made a lot of contributions to other developing countries, Wignaraja, who once worked for the UNDP in Viet Nam for a decade, added, expressing her hope that the country will continue growing strongly now it has entered the international arena.