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Vietnam has witnessed a relatively high growth rate compared to its neighbors, and is forecast to recover quickly from the pandemic. Photo: VNA

The Diplomat, an international current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region, on March 30 ran an article lauding Vietnam’s impressive pandemic response and economic recovery.

The article said thanks to its impressive response to the pandemic, Vietnam ranked second among 98 countries in terms of performance in managing COVID-19.

More importantly, the country has also witnessed a relatively high growth rate compared to its neighbors, and is forecast to recover quickly from the pandemic, according to the article.

“To this extent, Vietnam has become the role model in terms of governance,” the article said.

Notably, in recent years, Vietnam has performed well in a number of international and regional organizations, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the U.N.

It has been highly regarded thanks to its effective chairmanship of ASEAN amid the pandemic in 2020, which has consolidated its international status. Moreover, the country’s active engagement with the U.N., especially in the realm of peacekeeping, is also evident for Vietnam’s emergence.

Thanks to its impressive response to the pandemic, Vietnam ranked second among 98 countries in terms of performance in managing COVID-19. Photo: VNA

Vietnam should be more proactive in global governance

With such achievements, the author suggested “Vietnam should be more proactive in global governance,” explaining that the country is well positioned to play a more energetic role on the global stage

“As an emergent and rising power in international affairs, Vietnam is potentially well positioned to help rebuild the global governance system that has been paralyzed by increasing superpower tensions and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the article said.

First, effectively engaging in global governance activities dovetails with Vietnam’s avowed foreign policy goals, the author explained, citing the political report presented at the 13th National Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party in January as saying that that Vietnam will remain as responsible and proactive member of the international community, and seek to be a trustworthy partner for other states. The report also emphasizes that one of the key goals for Vietnamese foreign policy is facilitating international economic integration.

Second, being proactive in global governance will also help Vietnam soften the impact of key global challenges, the article said. “For instance, the country is identified as one of those likely to be most affected by climate change, due to its geographical location. Rising sea levels, worsening floods and droughts, and the dramatic increase in the frequency of storms all threaten the lives of Vietnamese people.”

If Vietnam is proactive in tackling global threats, it will have more chances to learn more from other developed countries and receive assistance from them, the article said.

The UN General Assembly on December 7, 2020, approved Resolution A/RES/75/27 proclaiming December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Photo: VNA

On December 27, Vietnam proposed an International Day of Epidemic Preparedness during its non-permanent membership of the U.N. Security Council, the author noted, describing this is as a good example of how the country can gradually contribute to the revival of global governance, turning it into a “responsible member” of the international community, as it desires to become.

Third, Vietnam can gain economic benefits from engaging more effectively in global governance. The proliferation of free-trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed in recent years testifies to its desire to integrate itself further into the global economy.

To fully reap the benefits from these FTAs, it is crucial for Vietnam to be more proactive on governance issues, both domestic and global.

The most important area in which Vietnam should engage in global governance is focusing on post-pandemic recovery, in both social and economic terms, the article said.

Next, the country should maintain its momentum of becoming a more responsible actor within international institutions. Vietnam holds membership in most major international institutions, which remain an indispensable tool for tackling global problems.

“Given what its government has achieved so far, it has the potential to become a more confident and respected actor on the world stage,” the article concluded./.

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