Vietnam attends EU Ministerial Forum on Indo-Pacific Regional Cooperation

The IPMF-4 Forum was chaired by the Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, Kaja Kallas, with the participation of 64 Foreign Ministers/Heads of Delegations from EU countries and Indo- Pacific countries.

With the theme "Building a resilient, prosperous and secure future together" focusing on discussing three main groups of contents: regional security and stability; prosperity - connectivity - economic security; green cooperation and sustainable development, the Forum is an opportunity to exchange information on the regional situation, assess cooperation between the EU and the Indo- Pacific region, discuss new opportunities and challenges in the context of increasing strategic competition, challenges of climate change, economic security and digital transformation...; propose directions for substantive cooperation between the two regions.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Kaja Kallas affirmed the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region for the EU's peace , security and growth; affirmed that the EU's priority is to promote a rules-based international order and coordinate with partners who share the same values; emphasized the EU's desire to increase its presence, strengthen partnerships and promote multifaceted, substantive cooperation in the region. The EU expects the Forum to maintain its role as an annual high-level dialogue mechanism, enhancing trust and inter-regional connectivity.

Việt Nam dự Diễn đàn Bộ trưởng về hợp tác khu vực Ấn Độ Dương-Thái Bình Dương của EU

Delegates stressed that as global security and economic instability increases, common interests become a need for common action. (Photo: Bao Chi)

Within the framework of the IPMF-4 Forum, three parallel discussion sessions took place on "Prioritizing security in the face of geopolitical developments", "Sharing prosperity, economic security and digital connectivity" and "Common journey towards a clean and sustainable future". Regarding security priorities, representatives of countries expressed common concerns about the need for countries, large and small, to enjoy a fair, free and rules-based international order when facing challenges from climate change to regional instability, threats from economic security, cyber attacks, to critical maritime infrastructure, or the use of water and food resources as weapons.

Delegates stressed that as global economic and security instabilities increase, common interests become a need for common action; economic prosperity and security are closely linked; a stronger Europe needs a stronger Indo-Pacific, strategic independence and cooperation between the two sides should focus on renewable energy, clean technology, circular economy, climate finance, technology transfer, etc. Regarding promoting partnerships in the field of energy and sustainable development, delegates stressed that the EU and Pacific countries can create a smooth transition towards sustainability.

Speaking at the Discussion Session with the theme "Common Journey towards a Clean and Sustainable Future " at the Forum, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized unprecedented non-traditional security challenges such as natural disasters, natural disasters and climate change; emphasizing that green transformation is an inevitable strategic trend for all countries; countries need to strengthen cooperation because no single country can solve the challenges on its own. However, countries face limitations in financial and technological resources.

The Deputy Minister proposed five important orientations to promote inter-regional cooperation, including: promoting green finance and international incentive mechanisms; enhancing international cooperation and technical assistance; promoting adaptation to climate change and the ability to respond to natural disasters; promoting research and monitoring of marine resources; and supporting Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries. The Deputy Minister also informed about the current situation of storms and floods in Vietnam. EU delegates sent their comments.

Previously, on November 20, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU Foreign Ministers held a roundtable discussion with ASEAN partners to assess the results and prospects of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two regions (1977-2027). The EU side shared the huge losses caused by recent natural disasters in the Philippines and Vietnam; emphasized the priority of effectively implementing the ASEAN-EU Action Plan 2023-2027 in green transformation, trade - investment and science and technology. Representatives of ASEAN countries shared about the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and promoting inter-regional connectivity.

Speaking at the discussion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang stressed that strengthening strategic resilience has become an urgent requirement for ASEAN and the EU to ensure stability, maintain growth and minimize impacts from external shocks; emphasizing the need to strengthen coordination between specialized mechanisms on energy, digital economy, environment, natural disaster response as well as expand cooperation between businesses of both sides, promote innovation and link value chains. Vietnam asked the EU to continue supporting ASEAN in the fields of connectivity, digital economy, renewable energy, cyber security, maritime security and combating IUU fishing.

Vietnam's statements at the Forum were shared and highly appreciated by international delegates.

Within the framework of attending IPMF 4, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang had bilateral meetings: