At the consultation workshop (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam implements 86.7% of UPR third cycle recommendations

Vietnam has so far implemented 86.7% of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) third cycle recommendations, and 12.4% of recommendations have been partially completed, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet said, while chairing the consultation workshop on the draft National Report of Vietnam for the 4th cycle UPR of the UN Human Rights Council in Hanoi on November 24.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy FM praised the efforts and close cooperation of ministries, sectors, and relevant parties in implementing UPR recommendations and building the draft national report, cited VNA.

The implementation of UPR recommendations has recorded positive signals in all aspects of social life as well as ensuring social security and legitimate rights of the people, he said.

Vietnam has implemented nine recommendations of the UN Development Program (UNDP) on sustainable poverty reduction, contributing to helping Vietnam be among the 25 countries that successfully implemented multidimensional poverty reduction, Viet said.

Vietnam is also one of the few countries to submit a voluntary mid-term report on implementing UPR third cycle recommendations, he added.

Viet called on political and social organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and domestic experts to provide consultation to the draft report, saying that this not only contributes to completing the draft report but also demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to implementing UPR recommendations, creating a solid foundation for the country show better performance in ensuring and protecting human rights.

Ramla Khalidi, Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said the country has actively participated in UPR recommendations and fulfilled its obligations on sustainable development.

She applauded Vietnam, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, for its proposal and drafting of a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA).

She affirmed that the UN is very proud to be a long-term partner of Vietnam for over the past 46 years, and it will continue to cooperate with Vietnam, other countries and international organizations to further protect rights to freedom and justice for everyone.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Vietnam Patrick Haverman gave some suggestions in building the structure and content of the draft, stressing that the draft report needs more detailed assessment and specific data, and a clearer analysis of Vietnam's challenges in completing UPR recommendations and solutions to those difficulties.

Delegates focused on discussing and giving opinions on the form, layout, relevant information and data, solutions, and each specific content of the draft report.

Representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Information and Communications, and Justice presented the process of implementing UPR third cycle recommendations.

Hanoi, Vientiane sign numerous cooperation MoUs

Vietnamese and Laotian enterprises signed nine memoranda of understanding (MoUs) targeting a broad array of co-operation areas at a trade connection conference between Hanoi and Lao businesses held on November 24 in Vientiane.

The event was held by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade in collaboration with the Vietnam Trade Office in Laos and the Vientiane Department of Industry and Trade with the aim of introducing strengths, trade, and investment promotion opportunities between the two capital cities.

Accordingly, the agreements cover collaboration efforts in seed transfer, technology, the development of raw material areas, raw material purchases, and product consumption in an attempt to open up many business cooperation opportunities.

In his address, Nguyen Manh Quyen, vice chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, said that over recent times trade co-operation between Hanoi and Laos has recorded fruitful results, with last year’s two-way trade reaching US$411 million, according to VOV.

At the signing ceremony.

Quyen affirmed that the conference was of significance to Hanoi’s enterprises to boost trade promotion, introduce brands and products, and connect trade between Vietnamese and Lao enterprises in the host country.

Participating firms shared their experience, demand, and co-operation potential to Laotian businesses, as well as introduced Hanoi’s traditional craft villages and their products. The two sides exchanged information and discussed how to boost product consumption, and technology transfer.

Furthermore, a “Hanoi - Vietnam” booth was set up with the participation of 16 enterprises from the Vietnamese capital introducing agricultural products, food, garments and textiles, handicraft products, cosmetics, and OCOP (one commune one product) products in That Luang Festival and Vientiane Trade Exhibition 2023 from November 23 to November 27. It has captured the attention of local enterprises and consumers.

As part of this occasion, the Hanoi delegation visited a number of production facilities, supermarkets, and traditional markets in Vientiane to gain a better understanding about local people's needs and consumption habits, thereby seeking investment and business cooperation opportunities, introducing products, as well as studying and finding raw material growing areas in the neighboring country.

Vietnam puts forth recommendations at APPF-31

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai presented four recommendations to enhance parliaments’ role in promoting peace and stability in the region, while addressing a plenary session of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-31) in Manila on November 24.

Firstly, countries need to maintain strong political commitments to boost multilateral and inter-parliamentary cooperation, increase dialogues, exchange information and experience in parliamentary operations, improve understanding, and build trust on the basis of mutual respect, he said.

They should seriously observe international commitments and law and the United Nations Charter, not use force, power politics and unilateralism, and not cause division, the legislator continued.

Secondly, Hai said, it is necessary to foster legislative ties in the region by strengthening cooperation and linkage mechanisms and networks such as the APPF.

He highlighted fostering collaboration and exchange between legislatures to exchange information and experience, and create a network of cooperation and linkages between parliaments to reinforce common power and promote their influence, cited VNA.

The delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly, led by its Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai, attends the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-31) in Manila, the Philippines. (Photo: VNA)

Parliaments can work together in building common rules and standards, and seek solutions to promote peace and stability, and settle global issues, he suggested.

Hai mentioned raising expertise of parliaments and parliamentarians as the third recommendation, which, he said, will benefit regional peace and stability.

Parliaments should keep a close watch on global issues, especially those on security, economy, environment and human rights, while encouraging the full and comprehensive participation of people, including vulnerable groups, in making policies and ensuring social welfare, Hai went on.

Finally, he suggested the APPF member parliaments prioritize resources to sustainable, inclusive development goals, creating a foundation for peace and stability in the region and the world, elaborating that with the current approach, the Asia-Pacific can only fulfill these goals by 2065, or 35 years later than the original plan.

Hai used the occasion to affirm that Vietnam always top prioritizes maintaining a peaceful and stable environment to spur national development, improving people’s living standards, and contributing responsibly to solving common challenges of the region and the world.

Vietnam supports initiatives conducive to regional and global peace and stability; the promotion of the settlement of conflicts and disputes by peaceful means, without the use of force or threat to use force; and the observance of international law and the UN Charter, he said.

He also stressed that the Vietnamese NA is committed to further accompanying the APPF and its member parliaments in promoting the law-making and supervisory role of parliaments.

Vietnam will coordinate with other members to maintain peace, stability, as well as economic connectivity and recovery globally, and uphold the region's pioneering role in economic development, Hai pledged.

Vietnam to become favorite destination for Australian tourists in 2024

Vietnam was among the top 10 destinations for Australian tourists during the past nine months of the year, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

More Australians are choosing destinations in Southeast Asia when traveling abroad, with four destinations featured in the top 10, including Indonesia in first, Thailand in sixth, Vietnam in ninth, and Singapore in 10th.

Bali of Indonesia has maintained its leading position as a favorite destination for Australian tourists for many years, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Furthermore, Australian newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald predicts that Vietnam will continue to be a popular destination for Australians ahead in 2024 as the number of Australian visitors to the nation this year is approximately equal to that before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A report by the Skyscanner platform in early November showed that Ho Chi Minh City ranked among the top 10 most sought-after destinations for Australian tourists, with a growth rate of 246% recorded in the past year. Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City is projected to be one of the top destinations for Australian tourists by 2024.

The report also reveals that airfares and hotel costs are the biggest factors for Australian tourists when deciding on their holiday destination.

According to data released by the Vietnam Administration of National Tourism, the number of Australian visitors to Vietnam after 10 months reached nearly 319,900, equal to about 98% compared to the same period of 2019 when nearly 326,500 arrivals were recorded.

EU and Vietnam closer than ever: EC Vice President

Vietnam is not only an important partner of the EU in the Indo-Pacific region but also a very ambitious partner that has set significant domestic and international goals.

Vice President of the European Commission (EC) and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis came to Vietnam in mid-November with many initiatives to promote bilateral cooperation. VietNamNet would like to introduce his views in promoting the bilateral cooperation relations.

Climate change is the typical example showing that all of us are on the same boat. The discussion about green economy and our cooperation opportunities is significant.

Vietnam is an ambitious partner. First of all, it has set the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045. Second, it wants to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050.

And I believe that the EU is in the unique position to help Vietnam obtain the goals.

EU-Vietnam trade

Vietnam has achieved rapid growth over the last 40 years. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Vietnam gained the lower middle income level in 2010 and it has been witnessing impressive growth since then.

Of course, economy is something very complicated and its performance depends on many factors. But I am sure about one thing: trade could be a very strong driving force for the economy if there are suitable conditions.

Though EVFTA (EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) just took effect in 2020, this is really a success story.

The agreement helped the trade flow increase by 30 percent in 2022. Thanks to EVFTA, Vietnam’s total export turnover to the EU increased from 34.5 billion euros in 2020 to 51.5 billion euros in 2022. This has turned Vietnam into one of the EU’s leading goods trading partner.

Meanwhile, the service trade value reached 7.2 billion euros in 2021. Vietnam can get big benefits from the FTA implementation.

We can make trade gain bigger successes if we further promote it. We believe that Vietnamese partners will implement all of the commitments in automobile industry, agriculture and food. We also believe that Vietnam will soon set a legal framework which is predictable and practical, in the field of pharmacy. Labor rights are also a factor that helps enhance the power of trade.

We appreciate the ongoing reforms in Vietnam in terms of labor principles, especially the approval of 25 ILO (International Labor Organization) conventions

Nowadays, FTAs not only mean tariff cuts and quotas. They also serve as tools for involved parties to cooperate to solve global challenges. They talk about clean technology and flexible supply chains and lay a foundation for cooperation, cited VNN.

Vice President of the European Commission and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.

Cooperation in green transition

The year 2050 will be an important milestone for both the EU and Vietnam.

For the EU, 2050 proves to be the year of the most important commitments of the European Green Deal (EGD). The EU aims to become the first climate neutral continent in that year.

Meanwhile, Vietnam strives to become a country with net emissions of zero by 2050.

Green transition is an important field in which Vietnam and the EU can work together. That is why the EU and Vietnam need to support each other to accelerate the process of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

At the EU-ASEAN Summit in Brussels last year, the EU and Vietnam signed JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership), marking an important milestone in the two countries’ mutual efforts to adapt to climate change.

The EU also wants the cooperation in green technology. It has developed green technology of its own and it wishes that it can share the technology with those who want to use it effectively.

The EU gives support in agricultural transformation in Mekong Delta. It also cooperates with EVN to implement energy transition projects.

The EU has pledged the grant of US$16 million for technical assistance. And European investors are willing to make investment, the country with young population, talented workforce and important geopolitical position, provided local conditions are favorable.

Global Gateway project

I would like to talk about one of the EU’s most important initiatives which can play a very important role in all these issues – Global Gateway.

In order to overcome the challenges of the transition, we need huge investments in infrastructure and human resources. And it is necessary to diversify investment sources. A reasonable legal framework to attract investments will be the answer in current conditions. This is why Global Gateway is needed.

Global Gateway is the EU's strategy to connect the world in a sustainable way. In Vietnam, within the framework of Global Gateway, support has been provided with the focus on hydropower, near-shore wind power, and the first pumped storage hydropower station in Ninh Thuan.

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