Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

Vietnam records 371 new Covid-19 cases on October 9

Vietnam logged an additional 371 Covid-19 infections on October 9, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new infections brought the country’s total caseload to 11,486,414.

The same day, 149 patients fully recovered from the disease, lifting the total number of recoveries to 10,596,336.

The death toll was still kept at 43,153, accounting for 0.4% of the total infections, as no fatality was reported on the day, cited VNA.

More than 260.25 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country so far.

Vietnam attends 6th meeting of CPTPP Commission in Singapore

This was the first in-person meeting of the CPTPP Commission since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in early 2020.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh attended the 6th meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission hosted by Singapore on October 8.

This was the first in-person meeting of the CPTPP Commission since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in early 2020.

The 6th meeting of the CPTPP Commission in Singapore. Photo: VNA

In his opening remarks, Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said after the three-year implementation, the agreement has started to deliver trade benefits to member states. For example, a study found that trade in goods among CPTPP members has increased about 15%, from US$467 billion (2019) to US$535 billion (2021).

Participants expressed their delight at Malaysia's ratification of the deal which will come into force with the Southeast Asian country on November 29th, 2022. They also welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines for Mutual Recognition Agreements or Arrangements for Professional Services under the Professional Services Working Group.

These guidelines will provide practical guidance for governments, relevant bodies or authorities or other entities entering into mutual recognition negotiations for regulated professional services, according to WVR.

Demonstrating their commitment to advance the CPTPP, the member states continued to explore new and emerging areas of cooperation in the digital economy and green economy. They welcomed the progress of the ongoing discussions for the UK’s accession process and resolve to ensure that the high standards of the CPTPP are upheld throughout this process.

“We acknowledge all efforts made thus far to ensure the UK’s compliance with all the obligations of the Agreement and look forward to further progress on the accession process with the commitment of both the CPTPP membership and the UK,” according to the joint statement of the meeting.

Launched in December 2018, the CPTPP was signed by 11 countries, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The free trade area accounts for an estimated 13% of the global GDP.

Vietnam gains international trust thanks to responsible contributions: Researcher

Vietnam has gained a position and reputation in the international arena thanks to its contributions to the international community, a researcher has said, mentioning the country’s engagement in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, a researcher at the Center for Policy Futures under the University of Queensland in Australia, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondent that Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping operations has come from its sense of responsibility.

Therefore, the country has won the trust of the UN, partners and host countries, Hai noted.

According to the researcher, Vietnam is a pioneer in joining international conventions on human rights, adding that Vietnam is the first country in Asia and the second in Asia-Pacific to sign and ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Vietnam has also joined and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping operations has come from its sense of responsibility. Photo: VNA

It has integrated provisions of the conventions into domestic laws, making the national legal framework for the disadvantaged groups more perfect and suitable with international standards.

During two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vietnamese State and Government worked hard to ensure people’s rights by providing free-of-charge medical services and vaccination, and launching packages in support of affected businesses and people, the researcher said.

Hai also cited statistics by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as saying that Vietnam lifted 40 million people out of poverty between 1993 and 2014, saying Vietnam’s outstanding economic development has been acknowledged by many international experts.

Vietnam Coast Guard takes more drastic measures to fight IUU fishing

The Vietnam Coast Guard has worked closely with other forces to manage, check and verify information of violations to put an end to IUU fishing.

The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) High Command has said that it will take more drastic measures to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, contributing to maintaining order and safety at sea, and sustainably developing the maritime economy while consolidating national defence and security.

Along with the implementation of directions from the Prime Minister and the steering committee for IUU fishing prevention and control, the VCG has coordinated with ministries and sectors to finalize legal documents, mechanisms and policies on fishing vessel management.

It has also helped build a national database for the management of fishing vessels and fishing permits with a monitoring center, and install vessel monitoring and GPS positioning devices, helping to create a legal framework and corridor for forces to supervise fishing vessels in Vietnamese waters.

Illustrative image. Photo: WVR

The VCG has also worked closely with other forces to manage, check and verify information of violations to put an end to IUU fishing.

The force has also focused on raising awareness of Vietnamese fishing regulations.

In the first half of 2022, the force worked with local authorities, and domestic and foreign competent agencies to arrest 29 IUU violation cases involving 48 ships and 326 fishermen.

They also applied administrative punishments on 178 vessels that contributed VND382 million (US$16,000) to the State budget.

ASEAN Education Ministers to meet in Hanoi next week

Hanoi will host the 12th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) and related meetings from October 11-14 with the participation of the education ministers, senior officials and experts of the 10 member states of ASEAN and their eight partners.

The 12th ASED meeting will be held on October 13 and chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son. It will be attended by ASEAN education ministers, representatives of the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the Director of the ASEAN University Network (AUN).

Delegates are about to discuss education - training in each country, and share practical experiences in reopening schools in the post-Covid period. They will also review the implementation of activities within the framework of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education for 2021-2025.

Other related meetings include the sixth ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting (APT EMM) and the sixth East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM).

Photo: VOV

All these meetings are expected to release joint statements to affirm their resolve to strengthen cooperation and partnerships at all levels and with all relevant stakeholders.

The APT EMM comprises the education ministers of 10 ASEAN member states and three ASEAN partners of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, while the EAS EMM consists of the education ministers of the APT EMM and their five partners of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and India.

In March 2022 Vietnam took over the chairmanship of ASEAN Education for 2022-2023 from the Philippines. It aims to reimagine learning and building resilience of education systems in Southeast Asia and beyond in the new context, VOV reported.

Vietnam has outlined five priority areas during its term, focusing on (i) taking care and protecting learners’ mental health, (ii) strengthening education on environmental protection and climate change, (iii) ensuring equitable and quality access to education for learners, especially disadvantaged groups, (iv) promoting comprehensive digital transformation and ensure cyber safety for learners, and (v) promoting innovation in higher education to meet development requirements.

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