Hanoi (VNA) 𒆙– National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has asked the UN to continue assisting the Vietnamese legislative body in fuffilling its role during the process of realising sustainable development goals (SDGs).

At a meeting with UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP representative in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta on May 27 in Hanoi, the NA leader said the NA plays an important role in the process of implementing SDGs, through its functions of building laws, monitoring law enforcement and deciding the State budget. She emphasized that the NA has adopted many important laws which incorporated the SDGs such as the 2013 Constitution, the Civil Code, the Labour Code and the Environment Protection Law. The country’s legislative body has also closely monitored the government’s operation as well as the implementation of socio-economic development plans in specific periods, ensuring economic growth always runs in tandem with social welfare, human resource development, and natural resource and environment protection, she said. The NA Chairwoman proposed that the UN provide technical support and policy consultations in law making activities as well as assistance in conducting tripartite cooperation among Vietnam, the UN and third parties. She thanked the UN for walking hand-in-hand with Vietnam during the country’s socio-economic development, especially in poverty reduction and the HIV-AIDS fight. The top legislator also expressed her gratitude to the UN for helping enhance the effectiveness of the NA, which contributes to the country’s development. She appreciated the UN’s support for people affected by drought and saltwater intrusion in the Central Highlands, southern central and Mekong Delta regions. For her part, Mehta said she hopes that the UN and Vietnam’s legislative body will continue working together in realising the SDGs approved by the UN in September last year.-VNA