This will be Mr Ban Ki-moon’s first visit to Vietnam since he took office as UN Secretary General in 2007.

The visit takes place when the world’s situation is relatively stable, many countries are promoting cooperation in the post-crisis period, world economies are bouncing back and the international community is joining efforts to deal with global issues such as climate change, food security and natural disasters.

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has always praised Vietnam’s status, its socio-economic achievements and its great efforts to carry out the One UN Initiative, the MDGs and  effective cooperation with the UN.

Vietnam-UN relations are developing fruitfully while Vietnamese and UN senior leaders have hold regular meetings to discuss measures to further enhance cooperation.

The UN has carried out a variety of programmes and projects to support Vietnam in socio-economic development and the Doi Moi (Renewal) process with a focus on poverty reduction, health care, population, education, management capacity and human resources training.

Vietnam has positively contributed to the UN’s activities with its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.

Vietnam has been seen as a model of the implementation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and effective management and use of ODA funding and a leading country in implementing the “One UN Initiative” to increase the efficiency of UN support for Vietnam and developing countries.