Hanoi (VNA) – Aneconomic cooperation f🌺orum on fostering ties between ASEAN and emergingeconomies, and Russia convened in Hanoi on April 12.

Co-hosted by the University of Economics and Business (UEB)– Vietnam NationalUniversity (VNU)-Hanoi and the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS),the event was part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on the basic principlesof the friendship between Vietnam and Russia, the RAS’s 300th founding anniversary, and toward the UEB’s 50th anniversary. Speakingat the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le, Chairman of the UEB Board of Trustees, highlighted the forum's focus on issues related toeconomic growth and sustainable development in ASEAN and emerging economies. Particularemphasis was placed on strengthening Vietnam-Russia economic and traderelations, especially in areas like digital economy, tourism, trade,energy, finance and smart city development. Data revealed that ASEAN-Russia trade reached nearly 20billion USD in 2021, with ASEAN primarily exporting machinery and electronicsto Russia. Bakeeva Ekaterina, Minister Counselor of the Russian Embassyin Vietnam, expressed a desire for greater support from international associations to address bilateral issues and requestedmore active participation from ASEAN in Russia's regional and global projects. Experts said Russia pays particular attention to creating additional driving forces to enhance and diversify trade as well aseconomic cooperation with ASEAN. Priorities include ensuring food and energysecurity, advancing the circular economy, addressing environmental issues,digitising the economy, developing smart cities, and strengtheningcollaboration in science and education. They offered policy recommendations to promote and improve the effectiveness of Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, and looked into experience of ASEAN countries and emergingeconomies in theircollaboration with Russia. The forum also paved the way for new research partnerships between VNU-Hanoi universities and research institutions, enterprises,development organisations and State management agenciesfrom Vietnam and Russia./.