Economic diplomacy should become a strong driving force: Minister
Consolidating traditional growth engines while optimising new ones is among the key tasks set out by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at a conference on the 2024 economic diplomacy in Hanoi on February 22.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Consolidating traditionalgrowth engines while optimising new ones is among the key tasks set out by Ministerof Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at a conference on the 2024 economic diplomacy inHanoi on February 22.
Others include promoting innovations in theresearch, consultancy and forecasting work, and raising the efficiency ofeconomic diplomacy as well as the coordinating role of the Steering Committeefor Economic Diplomacy, Son said while chairing the conference.
To complete these tasks, the minister suggestedfurther utilising traditional driving forces to expand export opportunities andattract high-quality investments; reviewing and materialising internationalcommitments and agreements in foreign affairs; keeping a close watch on the internationaleconomic situation; and integrating economic diplomacy activities into thedevelopment of localities and businesses, among other measures.
It requires innovations and changes in both mindsetand action to fulfill the tasks the Party, State, and Government assigned tothe Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Son stressed.
Reviewing external relations and economic diplomacy lastyear, the minister said they helped generate new development opportunities andadvance the country’s position and reputation.
He also highlighted the successful trip by PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh to Davos, Switzerland, for the 54th Annual Meeting ofthe World Economic Forum (WEF-54) and his official visits to Hungary andRomania in January 2024.
The same month, Vietnam welcomed high-rankingdelegations from Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Bulgaria, withmany important agreements signed, the official continued.
He asked heads of agencies at home and Vietnameserepresentative offices abroad to closely follow the Government’s instructions on socio-economic development, and the reality in sectors, localities andenterprises in order to mobilise resources for strategic breakthroughs, makingeconomic diplomacy truly a strong driving force for national rapid and sustainabledevelopment./.
Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Steering Committee for Economic Diplomacy Nguyen Minh Vu has written an article highlighting how economic diplomacy has positively contributed to the national development and effectively played a role following the directions set forth at the 13th National Party Congress.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has been appointed to head the government’s new committee on promoting economic and investment stimulation measures and attracting high potential foreign investment.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned major tasks to the diplomatic sector and relevant agencies in economic diplomacy while addressing a plenary session of the ongoing 32nd National Diplomatic Conference on December 21.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos has obtained significant achievements in all the fields within its remit this year, particularly in economic and cultural diplomacy, said Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA) 
