Ambassador affirms ASEAN’s efforts to narrow development gap
Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN (Photo: VNA)
The 57th session of the Commission for Social Development opened on February 11 at UN headquarters in New York city, the US, under the theme “Addressing inequalities and challenges to social inclusion through fiscal, wage and social protection policies”
On behalf of ASEAN, Ambassador Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, shared the common concern about inequalities in each country and between different countries. Opportunities to access health care and employment within a country are not spread evenly due to gender inequality and inequality between rural and urban areas, along with other factors.
Meanwhile, challenges like climate change, epidemics, natural disasters and environmental degradation have been growing around the world, threatening efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The diplomat noted that ASEAN has made efforts to narrow the development gap through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration – a cooperation framework for more developed countries to assist others and create conditions for all member nations to develop and share the benefits of regional connectivity.
ASEAN is well aware of the increasing role of information technology and the importance of capitalising on chances created by the scientific and technological revolution to benefit people. In particular, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network was set up to balance economic, social and environmental aspects, Quy said.
He also affirmed ASEAN’s commitments to improving living standards for the elderly, the disabled, children, women and young people through initiatives like the action plan on mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities and the ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Day. Member countries have also worked to promote sustainable employment and healthy and safe workplaces for labourers through occupational safety and green job development programmes.
In his speech, Ambassador Quy also highlighted cooperation between ASEAN and the UN through inter-sectoral dialogues, experience sharing, capacity building and technical support, which have affirmed the necessity of cooperation in realising the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
At the session, ECOSOC Vice President Valentin Rybakov said: “Inequality is becoming the defining issue of our time”, adding that “a world in which extreme wealth co-exists with extreme poverty is a world of strife.”
Income inequality has increased in many countries, while health and education disparities remain high, showing the world is moving in the wrong direction, he added.
President of the 73rd UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés said multilateralism is the only and the best means to cope with global challenges that are hampering sustainable development.
Related News
GDVC effectively performs ASEAN Single Window for implementing Digital Customs
10:21 | 10/05/2024 Customs
Elevating the core values of the national brand
14:47 | 27/04/2024 Headlines
Vietnam Customs actively promotes cooperation activities
09:33 | 23/04/2024 Customs
Vietnam Customs with outstanding results in ASEAN cooperation
14:16 | 19/04/2024 Customs
Latest News
Positive economic transformations in four months
16:11 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam is ready to welcome a new wave of investment in the semiconductor industry
16:08 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Việt Nam, Japan sign MoC on forestry co-operation
14:25 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Mounting inflationary pressure requires Government’s flexible moves
14:20 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
More News
Business conditions numerous and cumbersome: CIEM
14:46 | 14/05/2024 Headlines
Prime Minister chairs seminar with Chinese businesses
14:38 | 14/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam charts vision for sustainable, modern fisheries
19:26 | 13/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam becomes fastest growing digital economy in ASEAN: HSBC
17:02 | 13/05/2024 Headlines
Maintain fiscal policy to "open the way" for the economy in 2024
13:31 | 13/05/2024 Headlines
Key economic pillars show positive growth
17:54 | 12/05/2024 Headlines
Human resources training takes centre stage to develop e-commerce
17:52 | 12/05/2024 Headlines
High-quality human resources: "Hold the gold, don't let it fall"
08:18 | 12/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam needs drastic reforms for economic growth: experts
17:49 | 11/05/2024 Headlines
Your care
Positive economic transformations in four months
16:11 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Vietnam is ready to welcome a new wave of investment in the semiconductor industry
16:08 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Việt Nam, Japan sign MoC on forestry co-operation
14:25 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Mounting inflationary pressure requires Government’s flexible moves
14:20 | 15/05/2024 Headlines
Business conditions numerous and cumbersome: CIEM
14:46 | 14/05/2024 Headlines