The United Nations (UN) in Vietnam has initiated a series of consultations with a broad range of Vietnamese citizens on the new development framework to be put in place in 2015, once the current Millennium Development Goals expire, Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper reported on Friday.

Pratibha Mehta, UN resident coordinator in Vietnam said the UN wants to ensure that a diversity of voices is heard in determining the new development goals post-2015. A wide range of people, including eight target groups, are asked about what kind of world they want.

The national consultations are an excellent way to identify how we can best address the new development challenges we are facing, and how to build a world beyond 2015 where all people can enjoy a life of prosperity, equity, freedom and dignity, said Pratibha Mehta.

Bui Quang Vinh, Vietnamese minister of planning and investment, said that Vietnam is committed to achieving the MDGs and has paid special attention to developing policies and mobilizing and prioritizing resources for social and human development, especially poverty reduction and narrowing the development gap. With two years left before 2015, Vietnam has already achieved most of the MDG targets.

The consultations in Vietnam are taking place from the end of 2012 to early 2013 across the country. The opinions and views gathered will be consolidated and included in a final report by the UN in Vietnam.

The report will be discussed at a national workshop before it is shared with the UN secretary-general's advisory High-level Panel in March 2013, then is expected to be sent to the UN secretary-general in the first half of 2013. These findings will inform the secretary-general's report to UN Member States at the General Assembly session in September 2013.