After numerous years of implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, Phu Yen has made great efforts in eradicating hunger, reducing poverty and responding to climate change. However, in order to ensure 17 sustainable development goals, along with opportunities, the province still faces numerous challenges.

Enterprises are boosting production and business, contributing to the local economic recovery and development. In the photo: A garment company operating in Tuy Hoa city

According to the provincial Steering Committee for Sustainable Development, in the first years of deploying the provincial Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development according to the Decision No.1273/QD-UBND dated June 21^st, 2018, the province gained numerous advantages thanks to the socio-eco achievements as a good starting point. Sectors and localities actively promoted the implementation through policies, plans, programs and tasks deployed by them. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 epidemic broke out and seriously affected socio-econo life, numerous sustainable development goals decreased.

The most notably is the 3^rd goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Up to now, in the province, there are 100 communes meeting the national standards of health, 100% of communal health stations provide medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance. However, social distancing as well as blockade measures due to epidemic in 2020 and 2021 have disrupted the access to supportive medical services. In 2021, the number of medical visits at hospitals, health centers and communal health stations decreased by 18% compared to the same period in 2020.

Besides, the COVID-19 epidemic has also seriously affected the implementation of the 8^th goal: Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. According to Mr Dang Kim Ba, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, in the two years of 2020 and 2021, the province's GRDP growth rate decreased significantly, the rate of unemployment rate and under-employment  increased sharply. The PPC has issued an action plan to restore and develop the province's socio-economy in the condition of safe adaptation to the COVID-19 epidemic in the period 2022-2025.

Currently, Phu Yen is on the path of socio-economic recovery and development. Despite a series of challenges, sectors and localities have made constant efforts, determined to turn challenges into opportunities, and mobilize all resources to achieve sustainable development goals.

According to Mr Tran Xuan Tuc, Director of the Department of Construction, for sustainable development of urban and rural areas, in the management process, the department always integrates the implementation of mechanisms and policies in the appraisal of planning and construction projects, promoting the role of large urban centers, attracting development resources suitable to local potentials and advantages. In addition, when appraising investment policies on production of building materials, management agencies always give priority to appraisal of advanced, highly automated, fuel-efficient equipment and production lines with less environmental impact.

As for promoting sustainable agriculture, Mr Nguyen Tri Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development lets known: Effective and sustainable agricultural development in terms of economy - society - environment is a key factor to maintain the stability and development of the economy. Therefore, Phu Yen Agriculture sector is implementing numerous solutions, building commodity agriculture based on local advantages in the modern direction with high productivity, quality, sustainability and competitiveness. In particular, the sector focuses on rural economic development associated with new rural construction in the direction of highly effective ecological agriculture, modern rural areas and civilized farmers.

According to Mr Vo Dinh Tien, Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, the sustainable development goals are a great concern of the international community and the whole country, so the province has more support in terms of motivation and resources for the implementation. The system of guidelines and policies of the Party and State in the fields related to sustainable development is constantly being improved, creating a legal basis, mobilizing domestic and foreign resources to serve the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. To mobilize resources for sustainable development, the province is gradually creating a level playing field and encouraging the application of effective corporate governance principles in both the private and public sectors in one healthy market economy. The public investment plan is integrated with the sustainable development goals to ensure a more focused allocation of capital. In addition to financial resources, improving the human resources quality in association with promoting innovation, application and strong development of science and technology is also focused.

Source: Phu Yen Newspaper

Translated by KHUONG THAO