Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum: Accompanying for Comprehensive Development

The forum is a practical and effective channel to enhance substantive cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, investment, tourism, and labor, consolidating the foundation of friendship between the two peoples.

The Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum with the theme "Accompanying Comprehensive Development - Creating a Sustainable Future" will take place on November 25 at the FLC Ha Long International Convention Center, Quang Ninh .

Sharing with the press on November 19, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Le Thi Hong Van said that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend and give an important speech.

Also attending were leaders of relevant ministries, branches, agencies, the Vietnamese Ambassador and Consuls General of Vietnam in Japan, leaders and representatives of local departments and branches, as well as corporations, general companies, enterprises and typical experts.

On the Japanese side, the Japanese Prime Minister sent a congratulatory message, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam attended with leaders and representatives of 18 Japanese localities, organizations, associations, businesses from Japan as well as Japanese partners operating in Vietnam.

Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Le Thi Hong Van (center) chaired a press conference of the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum on November 19. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

According to Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is in a very good stage of development. In the overall picture of cooperation between the two countries, cooperation between localities receives support, assistance and favorable conditions from the two governments.

This is also considered a practical and effective channel to enhance substantive cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, investment, tourism, and labor, consolidating the foundation of friendship between the two peoples.

To date, there have been more than 110 cooperation agreements between localities of the two sides, creating an important foundation to bring Vietnam-Japan relations into depth, practicality and effectiveness.

In that context, the Forum will concretize the contents agreed upon by the two countries' senior leaders to strengthen the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new situation, especially in terms of local cooperation.

The forum established the first regular dialogue and connection mechanism between localities of the two countries, contributing to enhancing exchanges, sharing experiences and promoting substantive cooperation, bringing harmonious benefits to both sides.

Within the framework of the Forum, there will be more than 100 activities connecting and working between the parties. The Vietnam-Japan local exhibition will also be held with more than 40 booths displaying typical local products of Vietnam-Japan and an area for cultural exchange and experience between the two countries. On this occasion, delegates will experience the space of Vietnamese tea culture and Dong Ho folk paintings.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Fukuhara Teppei, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, reviewed the investment and business performance of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam; expressed his hope that the expansion and diversification of investment activities of enterprises in Japan in recent times will help Japan contribute more to the economic development of Vietnamese localities.

On December 12, 2024, in Tokyo, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Funakoshi Takehiro co-chaired the 8th Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership Dialogue. (Photo: Nguyen Tuyen/VNA)

According to Mr. Fukuhara Teppei, Vietnamese and Japanese localities have signed more than 100 memorandums of understanding, of which 80% were signed since 2013. The two countries reviewing the results of local cooperation in the past and discussing the future cooperation orientation is a very important opportunity to link the strengths and needs of each locality with investment attraction activities.

“The forum, with the participation of 15 localities in Japan and 34 localities in Vietnam – unprecedented numbers; and a large number of Japanese enterprises, is expected to contribute to further promoting cooperation between the two countries in the coming time,” the Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam stated.

On the side of Quang Ninh province, Mr. Ho Van Vinh, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said that this is the first local-level cooperation activity between Vietnam and Japan organized with the participation at the highest level of the two countries' Government leaders. For the first time, a large number of Japanese localities came to Vietnam to participate in activities with 18 localities.

On the Vietnamese side, this is the first time that all 34 new provinces and cities have participated after the merger. And this is also the first time after the organizational structure, Quang Ninh province has co-chaired and hosted an international conference with a large number of delegates - nearly 800 delegates./.

Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations were established in 1973 and have undergone more than 50 years of development. In November 2023, the two countries upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership - a solid foundation for regional stability and prosperity.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dien-dan-hop-tac-dia-phuong-viet-nhat-dong-hanh-de-cung-phat-trien-toan-dien-post1077988.vnp