Viet Nam should do more to facilitate participation in economic development: UN expert

“Despite the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic and conflicts, Viet Nam has achieved impressive progress in reducing multi-dimensional poverty,” Deva said.

Viet Nam's efforts to achieve economic development and reduce poverty deserve recognition, but the country should do more to facilitate the participation of people in economic, political, social and cultural development, a UN expert said today.

At the end of a 10-day visit to the country, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva, commended efforts by the Government of Viet Nam to reduce poverty, create jobs and expand social protection coverage.

"Despite the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic and conflicts, Viet Nam has achieved impressive progress in reducing multi-dimensional poverty," Deva said. "The country is also making advancements in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing emissions to meet the net zero commitment by 2050," he said.

The Special Rapporteur highlighted three ongoing challenges: processes, participation and planet. The Government of Viet Nam should improve existing approval processes of projects, including those funded by development partners and international NGOs, aimed at implementing the SDGs to ensure that people in need in different provinces are benefiting further.

"I am concerned that due to limited civic space, active, free and meaningful participation of people in decision-making may be difficult. Groups in marginalised or vulnerable situations such as children, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities face additional barriers to participation in decisions affecting them. Moreover, despite the Government's efforts, the development of remote and mountainous areas, where most ethnic minorities live, is lagging behind, leading to continued poverty, unemployment and limited access to public services," the UN expert said.

Commenting on Viet Nam's vulnerability to climate change, the Special Rapporteur underscored the need for the Government, UN agencies, development partners, businesses and NGOs to work together to avert a looming crisis and ensure sustainable development.

"To ensure sustainable development, the Government would need to do more to respond to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss. Genuinely participatory approaches to development – which integrate principles of intersectionality, intergenerational equity, fair distribution and self-determination – should be adopted to achieve a just transition to a green economy. Moreover, in order to be just, NGOs and human rights defenders should be central to such a transition."

The Special Rapporteur's detailed report on his visit and recommendations will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2024.