Vietnam Makes Positive Impact at COP26

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders attended the COP26. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just wrapped up a business trip to attend the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, visit the United Kingdom from October 31 to November 3, and France from November 3 to November 5.

Many international partners, leaders, and heads of some countries appreciated Vietnam's position on the world map. In the general interest of international public opinion for COP26, the international press has paid much attention to Vietnam's messages, the dynamism, and the determined spirit of the Government.

Political trust and sincere affection

The COP26 summit on climate change has attracted the participation of nearly 200 member countries, including 120 heads of state, prime ministers, and about 36,000 delegates. Therefore, this is also an opportunity to meet, exchange and promote cooperation between Vietnam and other countries. In fact, the Prime Minister and the Vietnamese delegation had more than 20 meetings and bilateral contacts with senior leaders of countries on all continents, including strategic partners, leaders of international financial institutions, energy, and the environment.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the COP26. Photo: VGP

The host countries, England and France, both gave the Prime Minister and the delegation a very respectful and warm welcome. Despite the high focus on COP26, hosting hundreds of leaders, both the Royal Family and the British Government attach great importance to Vietnam's participation. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was also the only guest received by the First Minister of Scotland at her home on November 7 in a cordial atmosphere.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told us that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's business trip has strengthened political trust and deepened bilateral relations with many international partners, especially two strategic partners, England and France.

On the basis of the existing relationship, the Prime Minister and leaders of Britain and France agreed on major orientations, assigned ministries and sectors to implement specific cooperation measures to strengthen strategic trust. They are determined to go into depth, substantive cooperation frameworks with Vietnam in all fields.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets US President Joe Biden. Photo: VGP

Vietnam's call for unity

The Prime Minister's attendance at COP26 has conveyed a message to all international friends about a responsible and active Vietnam, in handling one of the biggest common global challenges - climate change. Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Along with the recent foreign activities of the Party and State leaders, the Prime Minister's business trip continues to affirm the country's important position in the international arena.

In his keynote speech at COP26, the Prime Minister emphasized two main messages: This is a global problem, so a global approach is required; It is an issue that affects everyone, so there must be an approach to the people. He also called for fairness and justice on climate change. Developed countries should have a responsibility to support developing countries in terms of finance, technology, and capacity building.

Alok Sharma, British Minister, and COP26 President said that the Vietnamese Prime Minister's speech made a very strong but practical commitment. In meeting with the Prime Minister, US President Joe Biden, and US President's special envoy on climate change John Kerry felt that Vietnam is calling on the whole world to unite and continue to respond to climate change. In response, the PM said that Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change, Vietnam cannot stay out of this issue.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Britain's Prince Charles. Photo: VGP

Responsibility for the future development of the country

Not only joining hands with the international community to handle global issues, the activities of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation during this visit also show confidence and responsibility for the future development of the country.

The impressive results of trade and investment promotion activities during the trip are concrete and practical. With the witness of the Prime Minister, nearly 60 cooperation Memorandums of Understanding have been agreed upon by Vietnamese enterprises and other countries, with the total investment value committed to more than US$30 billion.

In addition, the Prime Minister had nearly 40 meetings and exchanges with more than 60 leaders of leading corporations, banks and universities in the UK, France and Europe. The leaders of the Ministries participating in the delegation also worked with about 50 large corporations and enterprises to discuss specific investment projects and cooperation directions in the coming time.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon meets Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: VGP

It can be said that Vietnam's confidence and sincerity have convinced international partners and investors. Nearly 450 leading businesses from the UK, France and Europe attended two business forums in the UK and France, expressing their encouragement by the Prime Minister's message. The message is that Vietnam has moved to a stage of safe and flexible adaptation, controlling the pandemic, creating all favorable conditions for businesses to do long-term business in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: VGP

Both urgent and long-term strategy

Health cooperation, vaccine diplomacy, and mobilizing partners to support Vietnam in pandemic control are the focus of this visit. As a result, countries have responded to Vietnam's request.

Accordingly, France announced an additional aid of nearly 1.4 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine through bilateral channels and the COVAX mechanism, bringing the total number of doses of French vaccines to Vietnam to more than 2 million. The UK has affirmed that it will help Vietnam improve its medical capacity, and transfer technology to produce Covid-19 vaccines. Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company and Astra Zeneca Company signed a contract to buy 25 million doses, bringing the total number of agreements to more than 55 million doses.

In addition to urgent issues - the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic, the trip also aims at long-term strategic cooperation projects. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a series of meetings, helping to strengthen ties and accelerate specific cooperation between Vietnam and leading research organizations in the field of health and epidemiology.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh works with the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Photo: VGP

The Prime Minister wishes to have long-term strategic cooperation with partners, not only in the field of Covid-19 prevention but also in other diseases such as cardiovascular and cancer; not only about pharmaceuticals but also about human resource training, technology, and management capacity.

“Hopefully what we have today is just the beginning of a long, strategic road in cooperation between the two sides. Starting is always difficult, but it is impossible not to start. What can be done is the basis, trust and hope, so that the relationship between us will bear the best results", the Prime Minister said at a meeting with leaders of AstraZeneca.

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