Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai made the statement at the annual meeting of UNDP chief representatives from the Asia Pacific region in Ha Noi on November 8.

The UNDP’s activities in Viet Nam have always helped localities’ development requirements through different periods, he said.

The Deputy PM gave thanks for the effective support of the international community, including UNDP organisations, to help Viet Nam overcome post-war difficulties and promote its socio-economic development.

After more than two decades of renewal policies and international economic integration, Viet Nam has reaped a lot of socio-economic achievements and played an increasingly important role in the region and the world, he said.

As an active and responsible member of the international community, Viet Nam has established diplomatic ties with 180 countries across the globe, he added.

The country has also participated in regional cooperation mechanisms and is working with other ASEAN members to build an ASEAN Community by 2015, boosting the peace, cooperation and prosperity of the region, he continued.

Deputy PM Hai affirmed that Viet Nam wishes to receive more support from the UN in the fields of development cooperation, policy consultation, capacity building and the realisation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a national strategy on sustainable development and policies on climate change and international integration.

Addressing the event, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark said the UNDP will continue aiding the Asia-Pacific region and Viet Nam in all realms, including poverty reduction, environmental improvement, policy consultation and economic administration.

The UNDP’s selection of Viet Nam as the host for the meeting mirrors the effective cooperation between the two sides as well as the country’s socio-economic achievements, she said.

Over recent years, the Southeast Asian country has recorded remarkable achievements in the fulfillment of the MDGs, even surpassing most of the goals set for 2015, especially those on poverty reduction and fundamental education.

In 2010, she added, Viet Nam ranked sixth globally in the progress towards the MDGs.

Clark suggested the country take the production and efficient use of energy; sustainable poverty reduction; and human resource development into consideration during its long-term development process.

At the event, delegates discussed measures to accelerate the UNDP’s 2014-2017 strategic plan in Asia-Pacific to help the body better meet the demands of regional countries.

They also touched upon challenges and opportunities emerging in regional countries, the joint plan on the implementation of UN reforms and the active participation of nations in forming post-2015 development goals.

The annual event was attended by leaders of UNDP agencies in 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific.