Speeches at the conference highlighted the world context with many intertwined challenges - from geopolitical polarization, supply chain disruption, to debt crisis and rising inequality. Delegates agreed that fair, transparent and inclusive trade is a key driver to promote growth, create jobs and narrow the development gap between countries. Many countries emphasized the central role of UNCTAD in supporting countries to build sustainable trade policies, attract responsible investment, transfer technology and turn debt into a tool for development, while calling for reform of the multilateral system, increased coordination and substantive action so that global trade truly becomes a driving force for peace , prosperity and sustainable development.
Speaking at the general discussion session of the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang assessed that the world is facing turning-point changes in economics, technology and geopolitics , while the global trade environment has become fragmented and unpredictable, deeply affecting developing countries. In that context, Vietnam's economy has shown good resilience to external shocks, maintaining a high growth rate, expected to reach about 8%, among the highest in the region and the world; currently continuing to promote reforms, focusing on reforming the legal system, encouraging the development of the private economic sector, promoting science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation and deep international integration.
In order to contribute to the international community's joint efforts to promote inclusive, sustainable and resilient economic transformation, with trade as the central driving force, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang proposed three policy recommendations, including: (i) Strengthening cooperation and strongly reforming global institutions on trade and finance towards openness, fairness and inclusiveness, adapting to current profound changes, while reflecting the voices of developing countries; (ii) Enhancing self-reliance for developing countries through financial and technological support, promoting gender equality and expanding the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the global value chain; (iii) Promoting dual transformation, focusing on green economy and digital economy, considering trade and investment as the driving force to promote emission reduction, circular economy and innovation, while ensuring inclusive sustainability standards, not becoming barriers for developing countries.
On the occasion of attending the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang had bilateral meetings with Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Mr. Qais Bin Mohammed Al Yousef; Bhutan's Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Mr. Namgyal Dorji; Swiss Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alexandre Fasel; Dutch Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Steven Collet; World Economic Forum (WEF) Executive Director, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler and Director of the Swiss Smart Factory, a leading Swiss center for Industry 4.0 technology and a member of the Executive Board and partner of the Swiss National Innovation Center (Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne), Mr. Dominic Gorecky.
At the meetings, the countries expressed their impression of Vietnam's remarkable development, rising strongly to become a middle-income country with the leading growth rate in Southeast Asia; highly appreciated Vietnam's contribution to the joint effort to address global challenges of climate change, green transformation, promoting new growth drivers such as technology and innovation; agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as innovation, green finance, intellectual property, and exchange of experiences in building and developing an international financial center in Vietnam.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed the importance of bilateral relations with partners, proposed to continue sharing experiences, sending experts to support Vietnam in digital transformation, applying science and technology, improving capacity to respond to natural disasters and adapt to climate change in the coming time. The Deputy Minister asked Switzerland to continue to accompany and support Vietnam in the new development stage, focusing on the fields of education, innovation, science and technology, and establishing international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, which are fields in which Switzerland has leading strengths in the world.
In a discussion with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized that Vietnam is actively implementing the contents discussed by the two sides at the political consultation between the two countries in September 2025 in Oman; requested Oman to increase investment in Vietnam, support the launch of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and coordinate to soon organize the Joint Committee on Bilateral Economics.
At the meeting with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment of Bhutan, the two sides discussed specific measures to implement the important results achieved during the visit of the King and Queen of Bhutan to Vietnam in August 2025; the two sides agreed to promote trade exchange, tourism cooperation, cultural exchange and people-to-people exchange in the coming time.
During the exchange with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang suggested that the two sides continue to consider promoting and deepening bilateral relations to become more substantive and effective, towards new heights; suggested that the Netherlands soon ratify the Vietnam - European Union Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and voice support for the European Union (EU) to soon remove the "yellow card" on IUU fishing against Vietnam.
In an exchange with WEF, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang welcomed and highly appreciated the cooperation and coordination of WEF in the preparation process for the WEF Autumn Economic Forum to take place in Ho Chi Minh City next November; proposed that WEF continue to cooperate and support Vietnam in promoting economic development based on science, technology and innovation, developing the private economic sector, smart production, and attracting high-quality investment capital.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-neu-3-khuyen-nghi-chinh-sach-tai-hoi-nghi-bo-truong-unctad-20251022101627242.htm
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