Vietnam and the United Nations promote cooperation in digital technology and AI: From policy dialogue to action programs.

On the afternoon of January 14, 2026, within the framework of the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN 6), Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung met and worked with Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, Deputy Secretary-General and Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Technology. The two sides focused on discussing cooperation directions in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and technology governance, aiming towards specific, measurable, and scalable pilot models.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung received Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, Deputy Secretary-General and Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Technology.

Digital technology and AI are the infrastructure for the development of a modern nation.

During the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that, in Vietnam's new development mindset, digital technology and artificial intelligence are not seen as separate fields, but rather as a "new development infrastructure" for the nation.

According to the Minister, while in previous stages of development, physical infrastructure such as transportation, electricity, and telecommunications determined connectivity and growth rates, in the digital age, data, digital platforms, computing power, and AI are the foundations for creating new productivity. This is an intangible type of infrastructure but has a profound and far-reaching impact, directly affecting the effectiveness of national governance, the competitiveness of businesses, and the quality of life of the people.

From that perspective, Vietnam views investment in digital technology and AI not just as an investment in an economic sector, but as an investment in the nation's long-term development capacity. This requires synchronization across technical infrastructure, institutions, human resources, and policy approaches, in which the State plays a facilitating, guiding, and space-creating role for innovation.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung highly appreciated the United Nations' global initiatives related to digital public infrastructure, inclusive digital transformation, and responsible AI governance, considering these to be particularly significant for developing countries, where promoting innovation always goes hand in hand with ensuring equity, safety, and social benefits.

The Minister also emphasized that if developing countries do not participate early in the process of building global technology standards and principles, the risk of being passive and dependent is very high. Conversely, early participation will help countries both protect their interests and contribute a practical voice to shaping the future of technology in a more balanced and sustainable way.

Scenes from the reception.

From policy dialogue to substantive cooperation

During the meeting, Amandeep Singh Gill, Deputy Secretary-General and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Technology, stated that the world is entering a phase where digital technology and AI not only impact economic growth but also reshape how countries govern, ensure social welfare, and narrow the development gap.

According to Amandeep Singh Gill, the major challenge today is not whether technology will develop, but whether countries have the institutional capacity and international cooperation to direct technology to serve the common good of humanity.

In this context, the role of developing countries, especially proactive ones like Vietnam, is crucial in bringing practical voices into global technology cooperation and governance frameworks, ensuring that technological standards reflect the diversity of development conditions and societal needs.

A key topic of discussion between the two sides was how to promote technological cooperation in a substantive, measurable, and scalable manner.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung believes that effective technological cooperation should not be limited to sharing visions or policy recommendations, but should be implemented through specific pilot models tailored to the practical conditions of each country.

In that spirit, Vietnam has expressed its readiness to participate as a testing ground (sandbox) for global technology initiatives, from public digital infrastructure to AI governance models. This is not a "ready-made" approach, but rather a process of co-building, co-adjusting, and co-improving, based on the realities of a rapidly transforming economy.

With its large population, rapidly expanding digital market, and strong political will for digital transformation, Vietnam is well-positioned to test technological solutions on a sufficiently large scale, thereby drawing valuable lessons for other countries in the region and around the world.

Deputy Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill highly appreciated Vietnam's approach to technology from a sustainable and inclusive development perspective, and noted that Vietnam is clearly demonstrating the alignment between technology policy and long-term socio-economic goals. He believes that Vietnam has the potential to become an important partner of the United Nations in implementing global technology initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Amandeep Singh Gill, in the context of rapidly developing AI and new technologies, having proactive countries willing to experiment and share experiences is key to ensuring that technology serves humanity, rather than creating new risks and gaps.

Both sides agreed to continue maintaining regular dialogue and promoting specific cooperation programs between Vietnam and the United Nations in the field of digital technology and AI, aiming for measurable and scalable results, from developing digital infrastructure, enhancing digital transformation capacity, training human resources to participating in building AI governance frameworks at the regional and global levels.

The meeting contributed to affirming Vietnam's proactive role, responsibility, and long-term vision in promoting international technology cooperation. It also demonstrated Vietnam's commitment to working with the international community to build a digital technology and artificial intelligence ecosystem for humanity, sustainable development, and inclusiveness in the digital age.

• See also

  Vietnam proposes playing a "sandbox" role for ASEAN's digital and AI initiatives.

  
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  ADGSOM 6 paves the way for an interconnected ASEAN digital ecosystem.

  
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  ASEAN accelerates digital cooperation: Reviewing key initiatives ahead of ADGSOM 6

  
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  Vietnam leads ASEAN digital cooperation as Chair of ADGSOM 2026.

  

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/viet-nam-lien-hop-quoc-thuc-day-hop-tac-cong-nghe-so-va-ai-tu-doi-thoai-chinh-sach-den-chuong-trinh-hanh-dong-197260114201349905.htm