Fostering Collaboration between the United Nations and Vietnam
In a recent meeting, Deputy Finance Minister Tran Quoc Phuong and UN Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja discussed strategies for enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The deputy minister underscored the UNDP's unique ability to recommend representatives, experts, and scientists for participation in UN technical and independent committees. He also encouraged the UNDP to proactively share project ideas and funding proposals with development partners and funds.
Wignaraja, in her turn, emphasised the need for the Ministry of Finance, as chair of the Just Energy Transition Partnership Working Group, to continue its leading role in mobilising public financial resources. She also commended the Ministry of Finance for its initiative in streamlining and improving the ODA management system.
Both parties agreed on the importance of learning from other continents and countries to build Vietnam's capacity for digital economy development, AI, and regional science, technology, and STEM cooperation. The UNDP reaffirmed its readiness to support the Ministry of Finance in the review process.
The UNDP also expressed its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam with renewed approaches in optimising public investment and strengthening local governance capacity. The deputy minister proposed resuming tripartite meetings between the UNDP, ODA management agencies, and project-executing agencies for effective collaboration.
Wignaraja appreciated Vietnam's determination to achieve robust GDP growth and noted the challenges that lie ahead. The deputy minister proposed that the UN align its support with Vietnam's priorities, including maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, enhancing economic resilience and autonomy, shifting the growth model, fostering comprehensive human development, and narrowing regional gaps.
The UNDP could support Vietnam in promoting green, digital, and circular economies; prioritising comprehensive digital transformation and high-tech industries; improving education quality and training high-quality human resources; reducing multidimensional poverty; developing a modern, fair, and inclusive social security system; accelerating energy transition and greenhouse gas emission reductions to meet the net zero commitment; strengthening natural resource management and environmental protection; and developing green cities.
The deputy minister also highlighted the need to mobilize private sector participation. He proposed maintaining regular working mechanisms for alignment in cooperation directions. The meeting concluded with the deputy minister congratulating the UN on its 80th anniversary and thanking Wignaraja for accompanying Vietnam's development.
However, the search results do not provide information about which countries and continents Deputy Finance Minister Tran Quoc Phuong has identified as models for digital economic development and cooperation in AI, regional sciences, and technology. The UNDP looks forward to close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries in co-designing the 2027-2031 National Programme. The parties will continue to collaborate in monitoring and supervising ongoing projects, aiming for a sustainable and prosperous future for Vietnam.
