Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh addressed a high-level segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on Monday (local time), emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in development thinking. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh addressed a high-level segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on Monday (local time), emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in development thinking.

In her speech, she affirmed that the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – were interlinked and interdependent, and that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would only be achieved in an environment of peace and security on the basis of respect for international law.

“I believe that the SDGs must be aligned with and integrated into the development strategies and policies of all nations,” she said. 

She hailed the theme “No one left behind”, saying it reflected the resolve of the international community in turning global commitments into actions to achieve concrete outcomes. It was an ethical imperative of the 2030 Agenda and called for the community to support the disadvantaged and less fortunate and institute justice in life and in society, the Vice President added.

As a war-devastated country that was faced with the risk of being left behind, Việt Nam had done its utmost to find a way to move forward, she said.

“In the formulation and implementation of policies, we always place our people at the centre and consider the people the driving force for development,” she said, adding that special attention was paid to the most vulnerable.

She said Việt Nam would actively contribute to the work of ECOSOC, first and foremost, by implementing the 2030 Agenda with its highest political commitment.

The same day, Thịnh, together with the Norwegian Prime Minister, the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Vice General Secretary and New York authorities, attended an exhibition on the environment. 

On the sidelines of the meeting, she met with officials of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, during which they discussed building a roadmap to implement the 2030 Agenda within the ESCAP framework. — VNS