(VOVworld) –A year ago today, Vietnam was elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the UN’s six main agencies, in recognition of its socio-economic achievements, and its contributions to the UN and to the creation of a better world.

Vietnam became one of the 54 members of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure in 2015 with 182 out of 187 valid votes. (Photo:VNA)

As one of 54 members of the ECOSOC, Vietnam has made significant contributions to the council’s policies, documents, and action plans in its first year of membership, and has actively pushed forward the agenda on sustainable development by 2030. It has participated in UN conference and workshops, drawing lessons, identifying prioritizes, and mobilizing resources.

This year two Vietnamese delegations attended ECOSOC conferences. Most notable was the attendance of Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh at the high-level segment of the ECOSOC in New York in July. There Madam Thinh spotlighted Vietnam’s commitment to the ECOSOC’s operation and implementation of the 2030 agenda on sustainable development. In May, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong attended a high-level dialogue on policy integration. Mr. Dong shared Vietnam’s experience in poverty reduction, building e-government and finalizing the social welfare.

2016 is the first year of implementation of the 2030 Agenda with its new goals requiring countries to change development orientation, promote new resources, and renovate management mechanisms.

As a member of the ECOSOC, Vietnam has contributed to improving the UN’s operation and building a new cooperation model between the UN and its member states.

Vietnam has also called on developed countries to support developing nations with capital and technology transfers.

Vietnam has helped to improve the indexes used to assess the fulfillment of sustainable development targets by member states, and has given opinions on using new development models like the public-private cooperation model and the south-south cooperation model.

Although the sustainable development agenda applies to all countries, it has particularly focused on underdeveloped, landlocked countries.

Vietnam has been working closely with UN agencies to organize a conference on helping landlocked countries achieve sustainable development goals towards creating a world in which ‘no-one is left behind’.