Vietnam News Today (Dec. 20): PM Wraps Up Japan Trip For ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son come to the event.

Party leader underscores foreign affairs in “Vietnamese bamboo" diplomacy

The conference is seen as an opportunity for the entire diplomatic and foreign affairs sector nationwide to look back on the nearly 3-year process of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress on foreign affairs in general and diplomacy in particular through which directions and measures are outlined to more effectively implement key foreign and diplomatic tasks for the coming years as a contribution to preparation for summarizing 40 years of carrying out the reform policy and drafting the documents of the 14th National Party Congress.

In his address, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that during the past nearly 40 years of pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, the Communist Party of Vietnam has inherited and promoted national identity, roots, and traditions, while selectively absorbing the quintessence of world and the progressive ideology of the era, which was developed on the theoretical foundation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology, thereby forming a very special and unique school of foreign affairs and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of "Vietnamese bamboo".

He hailed the outstanding results of the diplomatic and foreign affairs sector since the first National Diplomatic Conference held in 2021, cited VOV.

He said that the success of the visits and phone calls of Party and State leaders since the 13th Party Congress, especially the more than 40 visits of key leaders to neighboring countries, major countries, strategic partner countries, most ASEAN member states, and the visits by many important partners and traditional friends, heads of state, high-ranking leaders of countries and major international organizations have painted a very beautiful, very vivid and highly attractive picture on the nation’s foreign front over the past 3 years and created a new position for Vietnam in the international arena. As a result, Vietnam has received appreciation from domestic public opinion and international friends.

“In particular, vibrant foreign affairs- related activities are the highlight of 2023. The Vietnam visits by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen and many other heads of state are considered to be events of historical significance, contributing to affirming that "our country has never had the same fortune, potential, prestige and international position as it does today," the Party chief emphasized.

From a country under siege and embargo, up to now, Vietnam has expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries and territories, including 3 countries having special relations, 6 countries establishing comprehensive strategic partnerships. (The United States and Japan were just added to this group in the fourth quarter), 12 strategic partner countries and 12 comprehensive partner countries., the Party chief went on to say.

​Regarding the tasks in the coming time, Trong called on the diplomatic and foreign affairs sector to always pay attention to skillfully combining the strength of the nation with the strength of the times, and to harmoniously handle the relationship between national interests and international obligations and responsibilities.

​This includes grasping the situation, analyzing, forecasting, promptly giving advice on adjustments, supplementing new trends and emerging issues in order to concretize, build and strictly and thoroughly carry out specific programs and plans of each agency and unit in a synchronous, scientific, methodical and unified manner.

He also asked the sector to make greater efforts in consolidating its organizational structure and building a contingent of foreign affairs officials in terms of bravery, quality, ethics, intelligence, and modernity. They are those with working methods and practices professional in style and behavior, and proficient in business and foreign languages, Trong stressed.

PM wraps up Japan trip for ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage arrived back in Hanoi on December 19 morning, wrapping up their working trip to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and bilateral activities from December 15-18 at the invitation of Japanese PM Kishida Fumio.

During the trip, PM Chinh had a busy schedule, with over 40 multilateral and bilateral activities. Apart from attending the Commemorative Summit and the Asian Net Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders' Meeting, he engaged in meetings and discussions with leaders of participating countries, including those of Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Japanese PM Kishida Fumio and heads of ASEAN delegations to Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (Photo: VNA)

As for bilateral activities with Japan, the Vietnamese leader held talks with his Japanese counterpart; met the Emperor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the House of Councilors and former Japanese PMs; visited the family of late PM Shinzo Abe; and hosted receptions for leaders of Japanese ministries, prefectures, political organizations, and economic associations.

On the occasion, he paid a working trip to Gunma prefecture, presided over economic and labor cooperation promotion forums, and received and held a dialogue with leading Japanese economic corporations, according to VNA.

Notably, a total of 33 cooperation agreements were signed by the two countries’ Governments, ministries, agencies, localities, and businesses in the fields of finance, industrial infrastructure, urban planning, commercial center development, green hydrogen, battery manufacturing, energy, digital transformation, and workforce training.

His working trip to Japan has further underscored Vietnam's role, responsibility, and contributions to building a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community and deepening the ASEAN-Japan relationship practically and effectively, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

It is also meant to concretize and strongly advance the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, thereby generating impetus for the continued development of bilateral relations in the coming period.

Italian TV presenter impressed by beautiful, captivating Vietnam

Italian fashion model and television presenter Elisabetta Gregoraci has shared her impressions and experience from her recent trip to Vietnam, in a conversation with Silvio Vecchione, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Naples city, southern Italy.

Gregoraci, who has around 2 million social media followers in Italy, described Vietnam as a wonderful and captivating country that has always been on her wish list to visit. Delighted about her recent travel experience, she highlighted the diverse attractions and beautiful landscapes that Vietnam offers.

Her first destination in Vietnam was Ho Chi Minh City - a vibrant, dynamic, and modern city. Later, she visited the Mekong Delta, experiencing the unique sensation of traveling by boat along the river's tributaries.

Visiting the ancient town of Hoi An adorned with beautiful multi-colored lanterns, and then exploring the Tam Coc-Bich Dong area in Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, she said she felt that in these magnificent landscapes, time seemed to stand still, allowing nature and the fresh air to weave the enchanting stories of Vietnam.

Photo: vntrip

In addition to the breathtaking scenery, she also had an opportunity to explore another fantastic experience - the cuisine of Vietnam. She learned how to make "cha gio", a dish she finds delicious and healthy, with a Vietnamese chef. She felt captivated and tasted almost all the street food offerings in the places she visited.

According to her, the Vietnamese people are very friendly and warm, and she wants to introduce everyone, especially those who want to explore and visit a beautiful country with an amazing traditional culture. She plans to share her journey on social media to bring people closer to the beautiful Vietnam.

Following the trip, she expressed a desire to return to Vietnam and become even more closely connected with this country.

Vecchione, for his part, said Vietnam is an increasingly popular destination among Italian tourists, including celebrities who did and will choose Vietnam as a travel destination, with an increasing number of tourists compared to the previous year.

Vietnam should extend economic support program to 2024: WB

Vietnam could consider extending the implementation of the economic support program (2022-2023) into next year to allow its planned investments to be fully implemented, supporting aggregate demand, as the economy still faces headwinds, according to World Bank experts.

In its Vietnam Macro Monitoring report announced on December 18, the bank stressed that efforts to restore confidence and promote the healthy development of the real estate markets will be key to supporting economic stability in the short term and economic growth in the long term, VNA reported.

The report showed that cumulative FDI commitment for 11 months of 2023 continued to increase, reaching US$28.8 billion, 14.8% higher than the same period in 2022, despite global uncertainties, reflecting investors’ confidence in Vietnam’s economic prospects. However, this is still about 10% lower than the pre-COVID-19 level in 2019. As of the end of November, FDI disbursement was US$20.3 billion, 2.9% higher than a year ago, the report said.

Cumulative FDI commitment for 11 months of 2023 continued to increase (Photo: VNA)

The export and import of goods continued to improve in response to recovering external demand, increasing by 6.7% and 5.1% year-on-year, respectively.

In its Vietnam Macro Monitoring report announced on December 18, the bank stressed that efforts to restore confidence and promote a healthy development of the real estate markets will be key to supporting economic stability in the short term and economic growth in the long term.

The report showed that cumulative FDI commitment for 11 months of 2023 continued to increase, reaching US$28.8 billion, 14.8% higher than the same period in 2022, despite global uncertainties, reflecting investors’ confidence in Vietnam’s economic prospects. However, this is still about 10% lower than the pre-COVID-19 level in 2019. As of the end of November, FDI disbursement was US$20.3 billion, 2.9% higher than a year ago, the report said.

The export and import of goods continued to improve in response to recovering external demand, increasing by 6.7% and 5.1% year-on-year, respectively.

Zero net emissions are within Vietnam’s reach

By enhancing capability, reforming institutions, continuing to exploit opportunities, and ensuring inter-sectoral cooperation, Vietnam can reach its zero net emission target and support energy transition goals.

Dao Xuan Lai, head of UNDP's Climate Change and Environment unit, said he believes that Vietnam’s commitment on reducing net emissions to zero percent is attainable.

He noted that two years after Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh committed zero percent net emissions at COP26, Vietnam set more specific and ambitious goals in its 2022 NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution), as well as a low-carbon development strategy.

The government of Vietnam has also launched action plans and programmed sectoral development, including the national plan on deploying the Glasgow Declaration on forests and land use by 2030, aiming at strictly controlling natural forests, and preventing deforestation and land degradation; and an action plan to reduce methane emissions by 2030, in important sectors such as solid waste management, livestock, fossil fuel consumption, and farming.

The action program on green energy transition and carbon and methane emission reduction of the transport sector, and the eighth national power development plan (Plan 8), and the national overall energy development strategy are also actions that concretize Vietnam’s commitments at COP26, cited VNN.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP28.

In December 2022, Vietnam became the third country to approve JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) with G7, the EU, Denmark, and Norway (IPG – Innovative Partnership Group).

“These are all turning points,” Lai said.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has set up the JETP secretariat with four working groups under four ministries, including the Ministries of Natural Resources and the Environment; Planning and Investment; Finance; and Industry and Trade.

On December 1, 2023, at COP28 in UAE, Vietnam and IPG reached a consensus and officially announced the JETP resources mobilization plan.

Lai stressed that the amount of US$15.5 billion pledged by IPG and GFANZ (Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero) within the JETP framework is an important initial step.

However, the financing is just a small contribution of the total financial resources needed for energy transition in Vietnam. The investment capital needed for Vietnam’s electricity industry development by 2030 alone is up to US$134.5 billion.

Therefore, the terms and conditions of JETP’s financial resources need to be more attractive than loans in the market, in order to create a ‘catalyst’ for private investment.

Attractive investment market for green fields

According to Lai, in addition to energy transition, Vietnam has been actively participating in international negotiations, commitments and deployment of relevant conventions, such as approving the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) countries at COP15.

Vietnam is conducting negotiations and making active contributions to the negotiation process for a legally binding convention on plastic pollution. It is also strongly promoting a green economy, circular economy and digital economy.

These efforts play a very important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving natural resources, mitigating pollution, and recovering biodiversity.

Vietnam is also making great efforts in institutional reform, creating a more transparent, more responsible, attractive and safer investment environment so as to attract both high-quality foreign investment and domestic investment.

International corporations and multinationals in developed economies consider Vietnam an attractive market where they can invest in green business fields, circular low-carbon economy and high technology.

Lai said that in order to speed up the implementation of the commitment on zero percent net emissions by 2050, Vietnam needs to accelerate institutional reform, especially policies for the energy sector, investment and financing.

Vietnam needs to make heavy investments in research and deployment and promote cooperation for technology transfer. Energy transitions need green technology and advanced technologies related to offshore wind power, solar panels, carbon collection, use and storage of carbon and green hydrogen.

Vietnam has been advised to organize training courses to improve skills and the quality of the workforce in the fossil fuel sector (coal mines, coal-fired power plants), so that workers can satisfy new required skills to be able to work in renewable energy and supply chains.

Chairman of AmCham John Rockhold said when listening to Prime Minister Chinh’s speech at COP 28, he was impressed by the fact that Vietnam has completed Plan 8, which shows considerable progress since COP26.

He commented that with Plan 8, Vietnam has conveyed a clear message that the country wants to become a leader in renewable energy in Southeast Asia. The message can be seen as a sign of opening the door to businesses and investors.

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