(MPI) - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc and Head of Unit of South Asia - South East Asia, European Commission Mario Ronconi co-chaired the fourth EU - Vietnam Sub-committee on sustainable development in Hanoi on October 21.
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Overview of the meeting. Photo: MPI |
This is part of the framework of the Viet Nam - EU Joint Committee, established under the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union (PCA)
Deputy Minister Ngoc praised the EU for maintaining the activities of the sub-committee on sustainable development, emphasising that this is an important annual task that promotes and connects global solutions, with Vietnam being an actively and seriously engaged country in implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The deputy minister highlighted that sustainable development remains a top priority for the Party and the Government of Vietnam. The country is steadfast in its goal to become a high-income nation by 2045, and is wishing to affirm its positive role in stabilising global peace, and responding to climate change and other factors.
Regarding the robust cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the EU, she stressed that PCA has demonstrated a deep and active partnership between the two sides, creating an appropriate legal framework to enhance cooperation in various fields from politics and trade to science, technology, and education.
The two sides also frequently exchanged the implementation of high-level agreements across multiple sectors. Currently, Vietnam and the EU are effectively implementing four cooperation agreements and eight dialogue mechanisms. Vietnam is the first country in the ASEAN to have all cooperation pillars in politics, economics, and defense with the EU.
Four years after the implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the EU has become Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner, and Vietnam is the EU’s largest partner in the ASEAN region.
Deputy Minister Ngoc expressed her hope for the EU to increase financial support for developing countries, including Vietnam, to achieve global goals on climate and sustainable development, and continuing deepening cooperation to promote green economic development.
Ronconi, for his part, noted that the EU always considers high-quality investment for Vietnam to connect the two sides’ businesses, and uses appropriate financial tools to support the country achieve climate and environment goals. The EU will also continue to pay more attention to vulnerable groups to assist Vietnam quickly achieve sustainable and inclusive development goals.
Praising Vietnam’s impressive growth, which plays an important position in the ASEAN region, Ronconi urged Vietnam continue creating a favorable, transparent, and favourable investment environment, and removing barriers related to the legal and institutional framework to further enhance the investment activities of EU businesses.
Sharing about Vietnam’s Policy Framework on Sustainable Development, the MPI’s representatives updated some priority areas in transformation and investment, such as innovating the growth model and promoting private investment, fostering social welfare and sustainable employment to leave no one behind, transforming the food system, promoting access to energy and transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing the protection of biodiversity and natural resources, and promoting digital transformation.
Regarding green growth, mechanisms, policies, and legal foundations for green growth are relatively complete in general. The organisation and coordination of the implementation of the National Green Growth Strategy are being carried out effectively, with resources for green growth are being mobilized vigorously and efforts to raise awareness about green growth are emphasized.
The country’s prestige and contribution to global green growth have been advanced, ranking 13th out of 43 Asian countries in the Green Growth Index 2022, and the second among developing countries in terms of investment for renewable energy./.
Bao Linh
Ministry of Planning and Investment