HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with outgoing United Nations Resident Co-ordinator in Việt Nam Pratibha Mehta yesterday, asking her to continue supporting relationships between the UN and his country on her new posts. 
He said that Việt Nam not only treasured but also wanted to reinforce the growing co-operation with UN organisations which are among top partners of the country. It highly values the UN’s role, especially in keeping and promoting peace in the region and around the world. 
The UN had played an important role in responding to climate change, migration crisis, epidemics, environmental pollution and disasters, he noted. 
Rejoicing at the sound development of Việt Nam-UN relations in all aspects, PM Phúc said the Vietnamese Government and people appreciated the UN’s assistance during the national development. 
He also thanked Pratibha Mehta for her responsible and effective efforts in co-ordinating and implementing the UN’s programmes and projects in Việt Nam and in strengthening co-operation between the country and UN organisations. 
For her part, Pratibha Mehta congratulated the Southeast Asian nation on socio-economic achievements and spoke highly of its standing and role in activities of the UN. 
Strides had been made in bilateral co-operation, particularly Việt Nam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping missions and successful performance as a member of the UN Human Rights Council in the 2014-16 tenure and the UN Economic and Social Council in the 2016-18 tenure, she noted. 
She applauded its efforts in realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as in building and preparing to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
Việt Nam had basically fulfilled the MDGs, especially the one relating to poverty eradication which has helped to improve its stature in the global arena, she said. 
She affirmed that the UN was willing to support and wanted to maintain close co-operation with Việt Nam to implement the SDGs, achieve the MDGs and successfully implement the 2030 Agenda. 
The UN also wanted to soon sign a co-operation plan for the next five years with Việt Nam and continue to be a trustworthy and responsible development partner of the country, Pratibha Mehta added. 
She said working in Việt Nam in the last five years was an honour to her. She promised to keep supporting the enhancement of the UN-Việt Nam relations. – VNS