Ha Noi, 26 June 2018 – Mr Achim Steiner, United Nations Development Programme Administrator and Vice-Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group, starts his visit to Viet Nam today where he will meet with senior government leaders of Viet Nam, UN officials and attend the sixth Global Environment Facility Assembly. The two-day visit will reaffirm the partnership between the Government of Viet Nam and the UN, focusing on the nation’s sustainable development.

While in Viet Nam, Mr Steiner will meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. These meetings will focus on strengthening the partnership between the Government of Viet Nam and the United Nations, as well as other partners and stakeholders, in realising Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, including actions for climate change, disaster risk reduction and leaving no one behind.

This marks the first visit of Mr Steiner to Viet Nam since he assumed his position as UNDP Administrator in 2017, and the visit coincides with the 40 year anniversary of the Government of Viet Nam and UNDP partnership. At the forefront of the One UN / Delivering as One Initiative, and strongly positioned to lead on the recently adopted United Nations reform on the repositioning of the United Nations development system (General Assembly resolution 72/279), Viet Nam has demonstrated its commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and tackle development challenges. This includes its partnership with the UN through the joint signing of One Strategic Plan 2017-2021.

Mr Steiner will meet with the United Nations Country Team including the representatives of resident UN agencies and tour the Green One UN House to interact with UN staff and media. He will also meet with members of the diplomatic community and hold a Town Hall meeting with UNDP staff.

At the sixth GEF Assembly in Da Nang, Mr Steiner, will be representing UNDP and headlining plenary sessions and key panels on delivering transformational change.

Mr Steiner’s visit is timely ahead of Viet Nam’s Voluntary National Review at the UN’s High Level Political Forum in New York in July 2018.

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Please watch these videos:

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Mr Steiner spoke to VTV on UNDP priorities in Viet Nam

Mr Steiner's interview with VNA