UN Under-Secretary-General lauds Vietnam as key partner in AI
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill has called Vietnam a model of technological progress and a potential linchpin for global cooperation in advancing AI capabilities.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang (L) and UN Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill (Photo: VOV)
New York (VNA) – Vietnam is not only a model of technological progress but also a potential linchpin for global cooperation in advancing AI capabilities, especially for developing countries, said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill.
During a working session in New York on February 5 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Gill praised Vietnam's vision and groundbreaking policies, expressing admiration for Vietnam's relentless pursuit of innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.
Gill highlighted the pivotal role played by the Vietnamese private sector, singling out tech giants like Viettel, FPT, and VinAI as key contributors to this success.
Vietnam's AI research and application centres are among the top 20 globally outside of China, supported by a passionate and talented pool of technology experts, he said.
He wished that Vietnam would continue its active role in the UN Expert Group and the Policy Dialogue on AI Governance mechanisms.
Ambassador Giang, for his part, stressed that Vietnam considers sci-tech and innovation a strategic choice to achieve double-digit growth in the coming years, aiming to become a country with a modern industrial base by 2030 and reach high-income status by 2045.
To achieve this, Vietnam has recently issued a Resolution on the development of sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation - a breakthrough step. The document includes the establishment of a Central Steering Committee chaired by Party General Secretary To Lam, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as deputy head.
Vietnam is ready to share its experiences and learn from the UN and the Under-Secretary-General, he said. He expressed support for the idea of positioning Vietnam as a linchpin of digital transformation and AI collaboration and urged the UN to help bring this vision to life.
He also expressed Vietnam’s willingness to play a more active role and make greater contributions to key UN events and discussions on digital transformation and AI governance.
🔯 On the occasion, the ambassador reiterated an invitation for the UN Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), scheduled to be held in Vietnam’s capital later this year./.
Vietnam’s flexible approach to AI regulations has enabled the country to leverage its geopolitical advantages, skilled workforce, and innovation ecosystem for sustained technological progress.
Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Vietnamese technology company CMC, has announced an ambitious initiative to establish the world's first AI city model.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
