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Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's Remarks at Roundtable “Major global trends in the post COVID-19 era: International experiences and policy implications for Viet Nam”

VGP - The following is the full remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the Roundtable “Major global trends in the post COVID-19 era: International experiences and policy implications for Viet Nam”, held in Ha Noi on April 15.

April 16, 2021 7:11 PM GMT+7

- Mr. Kamal Malhotra, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam,

Distinguished participants from Geneva, Washington DC, Bangkok and Hanoi,

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I warmly welcome representatives and experts from United Nations agencies, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, relevant Ministries, localities, mass organizations, and businesses to the International Roundtable on “Major global trends in the post COVID-19 era: International experiences and policy implications for Viet Nam”, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations in Viet Nam.

I thank the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office for their deep expertise and effective logistical support, particularly in reaching out to the top industry experts for our roundtable today.

I understand that some have had to wake up very early to join us. We are  grateful to see your keen interest and support for Viet Nam’s development.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

COVID-19 has induced tremendous, rapid and complex changes around the globe.

While the world’s economy has suffered unprecedented decline in decades, digital transformation has been given great impetus, bringing about huge opportunities and challenges to each and every country.

And while globalization and international integration are met with more numerous challenges, digital globalization and global data mobility have made incredible leaps forward.

COVID-19 has revealed major weaknesses and lack of sustainability in both production and consumption, placing pressure on many countries to revise their development strategies and models.

In this context, improving sustainability and resilience, pursuing digital transformation, and economic growth in line with green growth and environmental protection have become the inevitable pursuit of all governments and businesses.

Ladies and gentlemen,         

The 35 successful years of Doi Moi reforms have given Viet Nam the confidence to set ambitious development goals, becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

Our new Government has demonstrated renewed determination, aspiration for development, to bring about more vigorous and effective transformations in the near future.

In this process, the diplomatic service will play a critical, pioneering role in linking Viet Nam with major global development trends, promoting comprehensive and extensive international integration in order to mobilize important external resources for national development and growth.

The deeper reform in Viet Nam, the more comprehensive, and uniformed, major tasks should be implemented.

The 13th National Party Congress has identified Viet Nam’s development outlook for the next decades: promote “rapid and sustainable development mainly through such means as science and technology, innovation and digital transformation”, and promote “development that balances between economic growth and cultural and social progress, environmental protection and climate change adaptation”.

It is of vital importance to correctly, accurately identify growth drivers and to tap into them to generate strength and momentum for breakthroughs.

 

The aspirations for national development and self-reliance are great sources of indigenous strengths and energy.

At the same time, an open mentality and approach is needed to more closely link domestic and external resources, harmonize them, and to combine the strengths of the nation and with that of the times.

This is one of the key lessons learned from the Doi Moi process in Viet Nam.

Our ambitious goals would not be achievable unless we can play catch up and seize the tremendous opportunities presented to us.

We often liken the world market to an ocean, and major trends are its currents.

In 2007, Viet Nam became the 150th member of WTO.

To date, we have established a network of 30 strategic and comprehensive partners, including with all major powers, 17 members of the G20, and all ASEAN countries. Viet Nam has proactively engaged in negotiations and signed 17 FTAs.

Among these, the CPTTP and EVFTA, the next-generation FTAs, have entered into force, and we most recently have signed the RCEP.

The ship that is Viet Nam has now set sail confidently on the high seas and must learn to catch and ride the big waves in its voyage.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Throughout our development, Viet Nam has always enjoyed great cooperation and assistance from the UN, its agencies, and other development partners in many areas.

Among these, I very much appreciate the important policy advices given to Viet Nam in transforming its growth model.

Today, as we face immense changes in the world, given your global vision, your international experiences and expertise, and your diverse vantage points,

I hope that you will continue to be a companion, and share with us your wisdom on how to help Viet Nam address issues critical to our development.

  With that, I propose that our discussions today focus on:

First, evaluating the important, major global trends that have far-reaching impacts, especially those that emerged during and after the pandemic, as well as those capable of empowering Viet Nam’s breakthrough, such as in green and sustainable recovery, digital transformation and growth remodeling.

Second, sharing international experiences, revaluating lessons, including successes and limitations in harnessing global trends for the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

Third, recommending policy priorities for Viet Nam's development strategy. The goal is to make use of global trends post-COVID-19 in a manner compatible with the economic, political, social conditions and development priorities of Viet Nam.

The aim is to help our economy rebound more quickly and vigorously, and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.

Finally, I sincerely thank our partners and international organizations for the precious cooperation and assistance given to Viet Nam thus far.

We look forward to your continued support in the years to come.

  I wish everyone good health and every success. May our discussions conclude with fruitful outcomes.

  Thank you for your attention./.