Gov't chief calls for strengthening global policy coordination to curb Covid-19 at G20 Summit

   The following is his full remarks: 

   Your Majesty, dear colleagues,

   I am very grateful to Saudi Arabia, the G20 President, for inviting Viet Nam to this very important Meeting. I wish to congratulate Saudi Arabia on its excellent G20 presidency and the highly practical Action Plan as we navigate this challenging time. On the topic of this session, I would like to share some of my thoughts as follow:

   First, we need to strengthen global policy coordination, act as one, and uphold multilateral cooperation to curb the pandemic (and its unprecedented scale and level of impact). Viet Nam very much appreciates the crucial outcomes achieved by the G20 in the fight against the pandemic, especially in the vaccine research and development and macro-policy coordination for economic recovery. I also welcome the continued support and assistance (in terms of policy advice and financing) from the UN, WHO, WB, IMF and other international organizations to the pandemic response efforts (around the globe).

   Guided by the theme of “cohesive and responsive” ASEAN Community, Viet Nam as the 2020 ASEAN Chair has joined fellow ASEAN member states to curb the pandemic, revive the economy and sustain the momentum towards the ASEAN Community 2025. We have made encouraging outcomes, including the creation of (i) the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, (ii) the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, (iii) the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, (iv) the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, and most notably the signing of (v) the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a large-scale trade deal. These are the results of cooperation and unity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners, many of which are also G20 members.

    Second, responsiveness in the “new normal” is advisable through a cohesive and harmonious exercise of economic recovery alongside pandemic prevention.

    On medical cooperation, there needs to be a fair and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Cooperation in establishing vaccine production and supply chains and improving response capacity at the global scale is highly urgent. I hope that the G20 would (i) forge agreements with global partners to produce vaccines through technology transfer alongside IP protection as a way to hasten large-scale vaccine manufacturing and distribution. I also hope that G20 would (ii) step up experience sharing, and technical and financial assistance for developing countries.

    On the economic side, along with containing the pandemic, countries need to facilitate cross-border trade and investment and sustain supply chains, especially for essential goods, food and medical supplies. Viet Nam supports economic integration and a multilateral trading system that is rules-based, free, open, fair, transparent and inclusive with the WTO at its center. I hope that the G20 will contribute significantly to WTO reforms to create a solid foundation for multilateral trade.

    Finally, digital transformation should become a new driver for growth. G20 should continue to be a pioneer in shaping global frameworks, agreements and rules for governing the digital economy on the principle of maximizing the benefits of the digital economy while respecting international and national laws.

    Thank you for your attention!