Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and deliveredremarks at the 7th GreaterMekong Subregion (GMS) Summit held virtually on September 9. The followingis the full text of his remarks.
Your Excellency Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Ministerof the Kingdom of Cambodia,
Your Excellency Masatsugu Asakawa, President of theAsian Development Bank (ADB),
Esteemed GMS Leaders,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure for me to attend and deliver myremarks at the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit. On behalfof the Government of Viet Nam, I would like to extend to all Leaders anddelegates my warmest regards and best wishes.
I highlyappreciate the thoughtful arrangements made by the host country Cambodia andthe Asian Development Bank (ADB) for this virtual Summit. Particularly, Iwelcome the presence of representatives from 31 international organizations anddevelopment partners as well as the business communities in and outside theregion. Your participation is a clear indication of your keen interest, theimportant role of Cambodia and the development potential of the Mekong region.
This Summit takes place amid unprecedented developmentsin the global and regional landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic and non-traditionalsecurity challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, andaging population, have been exerting far-reaching impacts on all aspects ofsocial life and all countries.
This presents us with difficulties, but also opportunitiesfor GMS members to demonstrate their efforts, determination, and solidarity in advancingcooperation and development. We fully endorse the Summit’s theme: “RenewedStrength to Face the Challenges of the New Decade”. We must not only face thesechallenges but also effectively respond to them.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Greater Mekong Subregion plays a strategic role in the process ofinternational integration and robust economic growth of Asia. This is where thefirst successful model for subregional cooperation in the Asian continent wasintroduced, and serves as the bridge between the Indian Ocean and the PacificOcean, and the gateway linking China with ASEAN countries.
Over the past three decades, GMS cooperation, withthe participation of all countries in the Mekong River Basin, has constantlyexpanded, proving its unique credibility and identity. The implementation ofthe 3C strategies, namely “Connectivity, Community, and Competitiveness,”helped create a GMS region where seamless connectivity was enhanced,people-to-people bonds were strengthened, and collaboration to address thecommon concerns of the region was advanced.
We have achieved encouragingresults in the implementation of the Hanoi Action Plan 2018-2022. Notably, Icommend the GMS’ prompt efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, improvethe public healthcare system and assist the member economies in gradualeconomic recovery.
The achievements of GMS cooperation effectivelyreinforced the ASEAN Community-building and the shaping of an ASEAN-centeredregional architecture, and further deepened the thriving ASEAN-China StrategicPartnership. We need to uphold multilateralism and cooperation based onequality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, thus contributing to peace,stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large.
Let me takethis opportunity to sincerely thank the ADB and development partners for theinvaluable assistance, effective coordination, and efforts to galvanizeresources for cooperation programs within GMS and with member countries,including Viet Nam.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is essential for us to come up with strategicvision and solutions to substantively address urgent issues, while laying thefoundation for rapid, sustainable, safe, inclusive, and comprehensivedevelopment in the next decade. With that in mind, I welcome the GMS Economic Cooperation Program StrategicFramework 2030 and the GMS COVID-19Response and Recovery Plan 2021-2023.
As neighboring countries bonded together by mountainsand rivers, sharing the legendary MekongRiver, enjoying time-honored cultures and histories, close friendships and warmbrotherly ties, GMS countries have a common interest and responsibility to joinhands in addressing the common challenges of the region and support each otherfor shared development. While national efforts are the decisive factor,international cooperation is crucial to create breakthroughs. President Ho ChiMinh, the hero of national liberation and great man of culture, once said: “Unitymakes strength”. The more challenges we face, the more we must stand unitedand and support each other to rise above them and jointly create the mettle,reputation, brand and long-lasting values of the GMS. At the same time,political trust and cooperation based on the principles of equality, consensus,mutual benefit, effectiveness and respect for international law will continueto be the prerequisite for GMS success.
On that note, I suggest that in the coming period,GMS cooperation should focus on the following six priorities:
First, prevent, reverse and control the pandemic. As the pandemic rages on, no one is safe whileothers remain infected with COVID-19, and no nation is safe while others stillhave to grapple with COVID-19. This is the time for us to step up close andeffective cooperation to repel and contain the pandemic, while formingmechanisms in response to future communicable diseases. For the time being, itis important to promote access to Covid-19 vaccines and treatment drugs in an open,equitable and transparent manner, increase the sharing of vaccines throughmultilateral and bilateral mechanisms, and accelerate technology transfer togain self-reliance in regional production of vaccines and treatment drugs forvarious diseases. Viet Nam is working to achieve full vaccine coverage as soonas possible.
Our government always considers the people’s health and lives ourhighest priority. Thus, I request the ADB to study the possibility of moreflexible financing mechanisms to provide emergency assistance for countries topurchase vaccines, anti-viral drugs, and medical supplies, and help businessesfrom the GMS countries to quickly establish production lines of high-qualityvaccines and treatment drugs. On this occasion, I would like to thank vaccinemanufacturing countries, including China, for the assistance extended to othercountries, including Viet Nam. Your support is invaluable amid the globalvaccine shortage. I look forward to the continuation of such effort.
Second, prevent the disruption of regional supplychains amid the pandemic.It is essential to harmonize and simplify the process and procedures forcustoms clearance, and open “green lanes” in order to facilitate thecross-border movement of people and flow of goods, while meeting pandemicprevention requirements. I urge countries to refrain from imposing tradebarriers and facilitate the movement of people and essential goods in line withour GMS commitments.
Third, create breakthroughs in building coherent and high-qualityinfrastructure, particularly in transport and energy, to address bottlenecks indevelopment and enhance the competitiveness of the economy. On transport, we need topursue the goal to complete the GMS transport, border gate and seaport network, with priorities given to theEast-West and North-South economic corridors connecting the region’s majoreconomic hubs, and multimodal transport links between the seaport and waterwaytransport system with the land and railway network in the GMS. A typical exampleof which is the Viet Nam - Laos cooperation project on developing Vung AngPort. On energy, efforts should be directed to renewable energy projects andregional electricity market development. GMS countries should study appropriatemodels and roadmaps for low-carbon energy transition. We also need to buildcapacity for cross-border power trading, operation of integrated power grids,and development of power infrastructure with the support of the ABD anddevelopment partners.
Fourth, promote digital transformation and thedigital economy to create new drivers for economic recovery and growth andnarrowing development gaps. Alongwith cooperation in digital infrastructure development, GMS countries need to:(i) advance cross-border e-commerce on the basis of equality and mutualbenefit, thus promoting export, particularly the export of seasonalagricultural products. We need to increase dialogue on e-commerce and digitaltrade, and harness digital technology to accelerate post-pandemic recovery, particularlyin trade and services. We should also (ii) enhance digital skills forbusinesses and workers; and (iii) work together to develop suitable legalframeworks for the rapid, healthy, oriented, effective and harmoniousdevelopment of the digital economy for the common interest of the entiresociety.
Fifth, realize a green and safe GMS that effectivelyadapts to climate change. TheGreater Mekong Subregion is faced with increasingly serious floods, droughtsand saline intrusion. The GMS must become a role model for regional cooperationon green, safe, sustainable, and inclusive growth. We must work together tobuild a cooperation framework with a comprehensive roadmap and creative andconcrete measures. Accordingly, our urgent need is to enhance climate changeadaptation, disaster risk mitigation and cooperation in the sustainablemanagement, development and use of rivers in the region, especially the MekongRiver, in accordance with the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
❀ Sixth, bolster the coordination between GMS andASEAN, and other regional cooperation mechanisms, regionalFTAs such as RCEP and agreements between ASEAN and partners, including China.We should encourage the engagement of development partners and thebusiness community sothat GMS cooperation can truly deliver tangible benefits to the people andbusinesses, and contribute to the development of each nation, the region andthe world. On that note, I propose the organization of an annual GMS High-levelDevelopment Forum with the participation of GMS countries and developmentpartners to review GMS cooperation and attract more resources and inputs fromdevelopment partners.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Viet Nam always attaches importance to GMScooperation and desires to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperationwith our brotherly neighbors, and join hands with you to build a more open,safe, peaceful, and prosperous Greater Mekong Subregion of sustainabledevelopment. As the founding member of GMS, Viet Nam remains committed toeffectively contributing to the realization of GMS shared vision and goals.
It is our wishand firm conviction that given the identifiedstrategic orientations, the determination of GMS governments, the support ofthe people and businesses, the companionship of the ADB and developmentpartners, GMS cooperation will everflourish, promoting the bond and mutual benefits among our peoples, andcontributing to advancing peace and prosperity in the region.
Thank you for your attention.
Iwish you all good health and the Summit great success.”/.
