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Vietnam contributes to maintaining international peace, security

As President of the United Nations Security Council in April 2021, Vietnam will organise a high-level open debate on the role of regional organisations in promoting confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution on April 19 via both in-person and online forms.

The event will be presided over by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, marking the first time a high-ranking leader of Vietnam has chaired an event within the framework of the UN Security Council. This is also the first important multilateral diplomatic event of the Vietnamese President since the 13th National Party Congress.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said that Vietnam has presided over the making of, and actively consulted to pass the Statement of the UN Security Council President.

The Statement will affirm the importance of cooperation between the United Nations, its Security Council and regional organisations in conflict prevention and settlement through peaceful measures, on the basis of respecting basic principles of international law and the UN Charter, and underlined confidence-building and dialogue measures as essential elements to contribute to conflict prevention and settlement.

Do Hung Viet, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organisations, emphasised that when building priorities for the working term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, Vietnam determined to promote the role of regional organisations in cooperation with the UN Security Council in particular and the UN in general.

The upcoming high-level open debate will elevate Vietnam’s initiatives to contribute to maintaining international peace and security. Through this event, Vietnam wants to affirm its commitment and efforts to address global challenges facing the international community, Viet added.

In particular, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s presiding over the event is the affirmation at the highest level about Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralism, and proactive and active international integration during its new stage of development, as reported by VOV.

Vietnam, Germany enjoy growing ties in multiple fields despite COVID-19

In the face of the global spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam's strategic partnership with Germany has shown strong growth across a range of fields, including politics, the economy, development co-operation, education, training, science and technology, along with security and defence.

Deputy Minister Dung detailed the country’s diplomatic orientations and policies following the 13th National Party Congress and stated the great importance of Germany’s important role and stature in both Europe and the wider world.

The co-operation contents under the countries’ strategic action plan for the 2019 to 2022 period are being implemented on schedule, including the establishment of a joint committee for economic co-operation and activities within the framework of the dialogue on law-governed states. This is along with security and defence co-operation and the establishment of the Vietnamese-German University, the two officials said.

As a means of further ramping up the joint strategic partnership, both sides consented to developing a strategic action plan for the next period, increasing contact and mutual visits at all levels, and stepping up collaboration in priority fields. This includes in politics, diplomacy, security, defence, trade, investment, development co-operation, renewable energy, digitalisation, and vocational training.

Germany has therefore pledged support for the country in its efforts to bolster comprehensive co-operation with the EU, while also pushing the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the German parliament.

Both sides agreed to maintain closer co-operation ties and mutual support at international organisations and forums, especially the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN-EU co-operation, VOV said.

Viet Nam Remains at High Risk of COVID-19 Outbreaks due to Illegal Immigration

The risk of resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks in Viet Nam remains high due to illegal immigration, particularly along the country’s Southwestern borderline, according to the Government’s latest resolution.

From that perspective, the Government urged ministries, agencies and localities to seriously implement preventive measures under the motto of proactive prevention, early detection, prompt quarantine, effective treatment, stamping out outbreaks, and quick stabilization of situation.

The subordinate levels must stand ready to deal with all situations while mask wearing is compulsory for all individuals in public places.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long inspects entry and exit, quarantine and medical surveillance, and vaccination works in the Southern province of Kien Giang on April 18, 2021 (Photo: VGP)

The Government also ordered sustaining strict control of entry and exit, especially in border provinces.

In response to the Government’s order, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long on Saturday decided to establish five different delegations led by him and his deputies to 13 localities in the Mekong Delta to inspect entry and exit, quarantine and medical surveillance, and vaccination works.

The Minister of Health, Chairpersons of provinces and centrally-run cities shall take prime responsibility for COVID-19 prevention and control in their localities.

Regarding the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program, the Government tasked the Ministry of Health to organize the implementation of the program in a quick and absolutely safe manner, making sure that all vaccine doses delivered to Viet Nam will be used before the expiry dates, VGP reported.

Three Vietnamese Returnees Confirmed Positive for COVID-19

Three Vietnamese returnees were confirmed positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, raising the national caseload to 2,784.

They were brought home from the U.S., Angola, and Japan between March 31 and April 14, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Among the national tally, 2,475 have recovered and exited hospitals while 35 others have been reported dead.

(Photo: VNE)

As the pandemic is evolving complicatedly around the world, the Government ordered authorities to continue tightening borders control to prevent risks of new COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Government tasked the Ministry of Health to organize the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program in a quick and absolutely safe manner, making sure that all vaccine doses delivered to Viet Nam will be used before the expiry dates.

The ministry is also responsible for developing “vaccine passport” mechanism in favor of achieving the dual goal of pandemic containment and economic recovery, according to VGP.

Seventh Japan-Vietnam Festival opens in Ho Chi Minh City

The seventh Japan-Vietnam Festival (JVF) opened at the September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on April 17 with a host of activities.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said he believes that the event will bolster understanding between the countries, and create more cooperation chances in education, trade, investment and tourism.

At the festival (Photo: VNA)

Japan is the third largest trade partner of Ho Chi Minh City and the fifth leading investor of the city. The southern hub has formed ties with seven Japanese localities.

Takebe Tsutomu, head of the organising board on the Japanese side said the holding of the JVF after a suspension of more than one year demonstrated efforts by both countries in promoting the bilateral relations. The 7th JVF is a major cooperative project of the countries' tourism sector.

The two-day event features more than 100 booths of 75 units. Art programmes and sporting events will be staged by artists from both countries, according to NDO.

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