A deep impression of Vietnam's voice, role, contributions and international prestige

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of the expanded G7 countries - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On the night of May 21, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation returned to Hanoi , successfully concluding the working trip to attend the expanded G7 Summit and work in Japan from May 19-21, 2023 at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

The working trip was a great success in both multilateral and bilateral aspects. During nearly three days, the Prime Minister chaired and attended about 40 activities, including Conference sessions, meetings with Japanese leaders, Japanese businesses and friends, and exchanges and meetings with leaders of other countries and international organizations.

Important contributions to multilateral issues

Vietnam is one of eight countries in the world, one of two countries in ASEAN (along with the 2023 ASEAN Chair, Indonesia) that are guests of the expanded G7 Summit. This is the third time Vietnam has attended the Summit, showing the importance that Japan in particular and the G7 Group in general attach to Vietnam's position and role in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at three sessions of the Conference: "Working together to handle multiple crises", "Joint efforts for a sustainable planet" and "Towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous world", making many practical and appropriate proposals to promote cooperation in solving common international and regional issues, contributing important approaches and solutions from the perspective of a developing country, promoting industrialization, modernization and deep and comprehensive international integration.

At the meeting "Towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous world", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted Vietnam's three messages on peace, stability and development - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the session "Towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous world", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted Vietnam's three messages on peace, stability and development.

Firstly, ensuring a peaceful and stable environment for cooperation and development is both an essential foundation and the ultimate destination for sustainable development and prosperity in the world as well as in each country and region. Peace is the ultimate goal of international cooperation, a common value of humanity; sustainable peace, the rule of law and sustainable development have an organic and closely linked relationship. The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam promotes a comprehensive approach to the issues of peace, security and development; peace is the foundation, solidarity and cooperation are the driving force, sustainable development is the goal.

Having gone through many wars, thanks to peace, Vietnam has risen from a poor country to a middle-income country, aiming to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam will do its best, join hands to contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development of humanity; wish to end conflicts, not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons, respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure food security, energy security, and human security.

Second, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the message of the spirit of the rule of law, respect for the United Nations Charter and international law, and the settlement of all disputes by peaceful means that must be promoted and implemented with specific commitments; calling on relevant parties in all conflicts to resolve them through dialogue and negotiation to find long-term solutions, taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam does not choose sides but chooses righteousness, fairness, justice and reason.

Regarding the region, the Prime Minister hopes that the international community and partners will continue to support ASEAN's central role in building a peaceful, stable, cooperative and self-reliant region. Accordingly, countries will seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and move towards achieving a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); and request parties to exercise restraint and not take actions that complicate the situation and violate the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of relevant countries established by UNCLOS 1982.

Third, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that sincerity, strategic trust and a sense of responsibility are of particular importance in addressing current global challenges. For Vietnam, these values ​​are demonstrated through the consistent implementation of a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification, multilateralization, being a good friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

At the "Working together to handle multiple crises" session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders shared their views and proposed solutions to create new driving forces for the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the "Working together to handle multiple crises" session , the Prime Minister shared that the current unprecedented context requires actions beyond precedent with a global, all-people approach and upholding multilateralism; emphasizing the urgent need to promote and create new driving forces for global economic growth recovery and development in a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable direction.

The Prime Minister proposed the need to improve the efficiency of global economic governance, strengthen policy coordination, especially on interest rates, finance - currency, trade and investment, and reform the multilateral trading system with the central role of the WTO. The Prime Minister welcomed the G7 initiative on the Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership (PGII); and asked the G7 to continue supporting developing countries through providing green finance and cooperating in developing strategic infrastructure systems, especially in transport.

In that spirit, the Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam highly appreciated the Hiroshima Declaration of Action on global self-reliant food security; proposed that the G7 and partners accelerate the opening of agricultural markets, promote green agricultural cooperation, increase participation and support the implementation of South-South and trilateral cooperation mechanisms in ensuring global food security. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is ready to boost food production to contribute to the implementation of the Hiroshima Declaration.

The Prime Minister stressed that determination and action on a global scale to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are more important than ever. In the spirit of leaving no one and no country behind, the Prime Minister called on G7 countries and development partners to have specific action programs, increase resource support to implement the SDGs, narrow the digital gap, master advanced technology, ensure cross-border water security, enforce gender equality and build effective mechanisms to respond to future medical emergencies.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed that Vietnam always appreciates the practical and timely assistance of G7 countries, the international community, and businesses in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and in post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the event on the Global Partnership for Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

At the "Joint Efforts for a Sustainable Planet" Session , Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the message that sustainable development, climate change response, emission reduction and energy transition can only be successful through a global, all-people approach, promoting multilateralism, self-reliance and self-reliance of each country and extensive international cooperation.

The Prime Minister expressed his views on ensuring fairness and reasonableness, taking into account different conditions and levels among countries; ensuring strategic balance between clean energy transition and global energy security; building fair, diverse, highly practical energy transition roadmaps in accordance with market rules.

The Prime Minister emphasized that human resources, science, technology and innovation are the central driving force for sustainable development of every country, the solution to the problem of both rapid and sustainable growth. The Prime Minister asked G7 countries and international organizations to increase support for developing countries in technology transfer, improving capacity in institutions, infrastructure, human resources, management methods, and building an ecosystem for clean energy development.

The Prime Minister said that the mobilization and effective use of resources is a key factor for sustainable development. G7 countries need to prioritize the timely and effective implementation of financial commitments for development, meeting the urgent need to erase, defer and restructure debt for poor countries. The Prime Minister proposed a creative approach in mobilizing diverse financial sources, focusing on public-private partnerships (PPP), mixed finance associated with the participation of the private sector and foreign investment.

Regarding Vietnam, the Prime Minister affirmed his determination to achieve the goal of bringing net emissions to zero by 2050, although Vietnam is still a developing country, in transition, and has experienced many wars. He assessed this as a huge challenge, but it is the path Vietnam has chosen on the basis of promoting internal strength as a strategic, decisive, fundamental, long-term strategy, and external strength as an important, breakthrough.

The Prime Minister emphasized his support for Japan's "Asian Net Zero Emission Community" (AZEC) initiative and proposed that G7 countries and partners continue to accompany Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in a practical and effective manner; contributing to helping Vietnam promote its potential and advantages, become a regional renewable energy center, deeply participate in supporting industrial production chains on clean energy and circular economy. Affirming that wind and solar are energy sources that no one can take away, the Prime Minister shared that Vietnam has just announced the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, to promote renewable energy development.

The Prime Minister hopes to continue receiving effective support and cooperation in managing and sustainably using water resources, improving the capacity to respond to climate change and rising sea levels, especially in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, as well as supporting the sustainable development of the Mekong Sub-region.

The Prime Minister's ideas and proposals have been highly appreciated by leaders of countries and international organizations, contributing to building a balanced and comprehensive approach to solving global challenges. Vietnam's substantive and responsible participation has also made an important contribution to the international community's common efforts to maintain peace and stability, promote economic recovery and development, on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, in line with the concerns and interests of developing countries.

The talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio took place for the first time in Hiroshima, Prime Minister Kishida's hometown, and were the fifth talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Kishida in over a year - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Deepen relations with partners, strongly promote the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership

Bilaterally, the working trip with many rich, effective and substantive activities with leaders and sectors of Japan and leaders of countries, international organizations and large corporations in the world contributed to further deepening relations with partners.

With the host country Japan , the Prime Minister had 13 working meetings, including talks with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, meetings with the Governor, Chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, National Assembly members with constituencies in Hiroshima, friendship associations with Vietnam, leaders of large Japanese associations and corporations, attending and speaking at the Vietnam - Japan Business Forum; meeting with the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The two sides agreed that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is at its best stage in history, worthy of a deep strategic partnership based on sincerity, affection, trust, for peace, cooperation, development in the region, in the world and for the interests of the people of each country.

Japanese politicians, including government leaders, members of the National Assembly, local leaders, and leaders of Japanese corporations and friendship associations, all welcomed the active and effective participation and contributions of the Vietnamese delegation, contributing to the success of the expanded G7 Summit; affirmed that Vietnam has a leading important position in implementing Japan's foreign policy in the region; and supported strengthening cooperation with Vietnam on the basis of high political trust, economic substance, and rich cultural and social exchanges, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of the two countries.

In an atmosphere of sincere, friendly and trusting exchanges, the meetings achieved many important results.

Within the framework of attending the expanded G7 Summit and working in Hiroshima, Japan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received National Assembly members with constituencies in Hiroshima - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Firstly, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed to continue efforts to bring the Vietnam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia to new heights, especially in 2023 – the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

Second, the two sides achieved some substantial results in the field of ODA and investment cooperation with the signing of three ODA cooperation documents worth 61 billion yen (about 500 million USD) for the New Generation ODA Program projects to help restore and develop the post-COVID-19 economy and society, the project to improve public transport infrastructure in Binh Duong province, and the project to improve agricultural development infrastructure in Lam Dong province. The leaders of the two countries also agreed to promote the possibility of Japan providing new generation ODA with high incentives, simple and flexible procedures for large-scale strategic infrastructure development projects in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio witnessed the two sides exchanging documents to sign three ODA cooperation projects with a total value of 61 billion Yen - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Third , the two sides reached a common understanding on further promoting cooperation in new potential areas such as green transformation, digital transformation, emission reduction, energy transformation, etc.

Fourth , the two sides agreed to continue promoting and deepening people-to-people exchanges, local cooperation, education and training, and tourism in a diverse, high-quality, and effective manner. The two sides will closely coordinate in supporting and facilitating the community of nearly half a million Vietnamese people living, studying, and working in Japan, continuing to be a bridge to promote cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.

Fifth , the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination on international and regional issues of mutual concern and at forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, Mekong... and the East Sea issue.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US President Joe Biden - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

With other partners, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had dozens of bilateral meetings in an open, frank and sincere spirit with all G7 leaders, guest countries and international organizations to discuss specific and substantive measures to promote bilateral relations and strengthen coordination on issues of mutual concern.

During the exchange, the partners all promoted the role and position of Vietnam and expressed their willingness to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, focusing on economic and trade cooperation, and addressing emerging issues such as food security, energy security, climate change response, green economy, circular economy, and innovation.

At the Conference and bilateral meetings, leaders of the countries emphasized the importance of ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety, resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promptly completing an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Speaking at the Vietnam - Japan Business Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Japanese businesses to increase investment in emerging sectors - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Promoting a new wave of Japanese investment in Vietnam

An important highlight of the Prime Minister's working trip was meetings with associations and leaders of leading Japanese corporations and enterprises, thereby promoting a new wave of Japanese investment in Vietnam in the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks.

It can be said that new generation ODA cooperation, especially in the field of strategic infrastructure and promoting economic and trade cooperation, will be the key orientations of the Vietnam - Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership in the new period.

Japanese investors assess Vietnam as the region's leading dynamic economy, developing rapidly with an abundant and increasingly qualified workforce, Vietnam's investment and business environment is increasingly improved, the Government, ministries, branches and localities of Vietnam always accompany and support investors; Vietnam has become the most important base for many Japanese enterprises. On the basis of the two countries having many similarities and closeness in history and culture, the relationship between the two countries is at a good stage, business representatives presented business ideas with a commitment to promote investment in the fields as proposed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The Prime Minister proposed that Japan strengthen cooperation and investment with Vietnam in the fields of high-tech industry, supporting industry, electronic components, electric cars, etc.; science and technology, innovation, research and development; green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge economy; semiconductor production, new energy (such as hydrogen), renewable energy; ecological industrial parks associated with smart cities; these are industries and fields in which Japan has experience and strengths, and Vietnam has demand and potential.

Prime Minister and high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attend Vietnam - Japan Business Forum - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Along with that, support Vietnam to increase the value chain of agricultural products through technology transfer, improve capacity in the field of distribution and processing; promote procedures and coordinate the early announcement of Japanese grapes to Vietnam and Vietnamese green-skin pomelos to Japan.

The Prime Minister hopes that Japan and investors will actively cooperate and support Vietnam in all five aspects (institutions, capital, technology, human resources, and governance), helping Vietnamese enterprises participate more deeply in regional and global supply chains and value chains, following the trend of greening and reducing emissions.

In particular, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's meetings with Japanese business leaders have strengthened investors' confidence and resolved many specific difficulties and problems in projects.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also asked businesses of the two countries to actively discuss and resolve difficulties of the Nghi Son Oil Refinery project. The two sides will also promote the progress of a number of ODA cooperation projects such as Cho Ray Hospital 2, the project to build the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien urban railway line No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, etc.

The Prime Minister's working trip to attend the expanded G7 Summit and work in Japan left a deep impression on Vietnam's role, contributions and international prestige, conveying the message of a dynamically developing and innovative Vietnam, building an independent and self-reliant economy associated with deep, substantive and effective international integration, being a proactive, active and responsible member of the international community and actively contributing to efforts to solve common challenges globally, for sustainable development, prosperity of humanity, and happiness of the people.

The working trip continues to affirm the correct foreign policy of our Party and State, contributing to strongly implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization according to the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Directive 25 of the Secretariat on promoting and raising the level of multilateral diplomacy until 2030, Directive 15 of the Secretariat on economic diplomacy to serve the country's development until 2030./.

Source: https://dttg.baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/dau-an-sau-dam-ve-tieng-noi-vai-tro-dong-gop-va-uy-tin-quoc-te-cua-viet-nam-357580.html