On Sustainable Development Goals
Consultation Workshop on Reviewing SDG 6, SDG 14 and SDG 15 in the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development

Mr. Moritz Michel, Deputy Country Director of HSF in Vietnam, giving his opening remark

HSF

In the opening speech Ms. Nguyen Le Thuy, Deputy Director General of Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment (DSENRE) – MPI, expressed her gratitude toward all participating organizations and delegates, and emphasized that “reviewing the SDGs will help creating policy recommendations as well as identify the missing goals, targets and indicators, assess their appropriate level and the feasibility in practical conditions in Vietnam”.

Mr. Truong Quang Hoc and Ms. Pham Lan Huong, consultant, noted in their presentations some key findings in reviewing SDG 6 “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, SDG 14 “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” and SDG 15 “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss” in the context of the National Action Plan to implement the Agenda 2030. For each particular target, the presenters provided the delegates with timeline and level of achievement by VSDGs, responsibility division as well as current activities and solutions to improve the implementation of the Agenda 2030 in Vietnam.

Delegates listen thoughtfully during a presentation

HSF

After the presentations, participants joined an active group discussion on the proposed VSDGs, the actions required as well as the indicators for monitoring. The water issue under SDG 6, for example, has long been considered crucial to Vietnam and was also covered under MDGs framework. The country has set the target of supplying clean water to 80% rural population. However, some participants pointed out that the increasing urbanisation may cause further problems to water supply in the context of increasing urban poor and the shortage of decent housing for them. SDG 14 and SDG 15, which are believed to re-formulate the MDG 7 in the Agenda 2015, remain a significant concern for Vietnam and will require urgent and drastic actions. The outcomes of the group discussion will flow into the proposal for the VSDGs which will be submitted to the Prime Minister for adoption at the end of 2016.

Summarizing the workshop, Mr. Moritz Michel, Deputy Country Director of Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam, stated: “The development of the National Action Plan to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is one of the most important topics for Vietnam at the moment. The outcome of the workshop will contribute to Vietnam’s successful implementation of the Agenda 2030, which is relevant for the long-term sustainable development of the country”.