Using aid effectively for sustainable development

Within the framework of international cooperation activities, on September 30, in Hanoi, the Institute of Vietnam and World Economics (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) in collaboration with the Lowy Institute (Australia) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam organized the International Seminar "Introducing the Southeast Asia Aid Map in 2025 and some analysis on Vietnam".

Roundtable discussion to share information among stakeholders in the field of development cooperation. Photo: Thanh Huong/VNA

Speaking at the seminar, Associate Professor, Dr. Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences , said that the purpose of the seminar was to announce and introduce the main findings of the Southeast Asia Aid Map 2025, with a focus on Vietnam; thereby promoting policy dialogue and information sharing among stakeholders in the field of development cooperation. At the same time, the event also created a forum for policymakers, scholars and development partners to discuss the role, effectiveness and orientation of aid resource use in the sustainable development strategy of Vietnam and the region.

Mr. Alexandre Dayant, Deputy Director of the Indo- Pacific Development Center of the Lowy Institute, Head of the Aid Map Project, said that the Southeast Asia Aid Map is not only a simple report but also a database and online tool on aid financial flows. The map shows the number of funding commitments, the amount of disbursements in each country, project, and partner (currently there are 129 donors).

Mr. Alexandre Dayan shared, This Map shows where international aid money is flowing, in which areas. This database provides data for policymakers and donors to orient investment strategies, identify gaps that need to be filled; and at the same time helps donors find suitable partners. The Map also shows the trend of funding flows, reflecting changes in donor priorities. The database in this Map also reflects aid trends from partners, countries and funding sources; and clearly shows the funded areas through illustrative graphics.

According to economist Ron H.Slagen, Deputy Country Director of ADB in Vietnam, Vietnam is making efforts to overcome the middle-income trap and become a high-income country. In this journey, official development finance (ODF), including official development assistance (ODA) and foreign concessional loans, are still important sources of support for domestic capital sources to serve socio-economic development.

Vietnam’s sustainable development depends not only on its economic strength and resilience, but also on how to shape and effectively use international capital. If Vietnam can take advantage of official development finance (ODF) not only for infrastructure but also to improve governance, protect the environment, and promote social equality, it will move closer to its 2045 goal of becoming a powerful nation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers.

At the seminar, experts discussed further gaps in policies such as: Capital flows focus too much on hard infrastructure, while social infrastructure ( health , governance, civil society) has not received attention... From there, experts suggested that in the coming time, Vietnam needs to continue to make efforts to overcome the middle-income trap, reform institutions deeply and effectively to become a high-income country.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/su-dung-hieu-qua-vien-tro-cho-phat-trien-ben-vung-20250930202216810.htm