Vietnam has recorded 11,448,034 infections of Covid-19 as of September 14. Illustrative photo: VNA

Additional 3,107 Covid-19 cases recorded on Sept. 14

Vietnam reported 3,107 new Covid-19 infections on September 14, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new infections lifted the country’s total caseload since the pandemic broke out to 11,448,034.

On the same day, 45,328 patients were declared to be free from the disease, raising the total number of recoveries to 10,393,632.

Meanwhile, the death toll was kept at 43,132, accounting for 0.4% of the total infections, as no fatality was logged on September 14, cited VNA.

More than 258.93 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far.

Vietnam, India hold security dialogue in New Delhi

Vietnam and India have agreed to step up counter-terror and maritime security partnership during their second India – Vietnam Security Dialogue held on September 13 in New Delhi.

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) was led by Vikram Misri, deputy national security adviser and Ministry of Public Security, while the Vietnamese delegation was led by Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Public Security.

During the course of the meeting both sides held frank discussions on a number of issues of shared concern.

The second Vietnam - India Security Dialogue takes place on September 13 in New Delhi, India. Source: ANI

Misri reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) which focuses on a collaborative effort aimed at better managing, conserving, sustaining, and securing the maritime domain, particularly as it shares strong convergence with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The Indian Minister also reiterated India’s firm stance for the freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as unimpeded lawful commerce in national waters in accordance with international laws, including UNCLOS, along with respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of nations.

Both sides used the platform to consent to collaborate and co-operate on counter- terrorism activities, agreeing to co-ordinate efforts to combat the nexus of radicalisation, terrorism, and the production and trafficking of illegal narcotics and arms within the region, according to persons familiar with the meeting, according to VOV.

India also offered to continue to assist the country with capacity building programmes, including providing training to the Ministry of Public Security officials as they undertake peace keeping missions launched by the UN.

India will therefore be guided by the requirements of the Vietnamese side on such capacity building programmes, whilst they also offered to share their expertise and domain knowledge in the field of cyber security.

As two maritime countries, India and Vietnam have an abiding interest in ensuring peace and security in shared maritime space. The sharing of best practices to combat piracy and illegal fishing was also discussed, with the two sides concurring to actively compare notes on areas such as the blue economy, sustainable oceans, and marine connectivity.

This comes after an MoU for Cooperation signed between the NSCS and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security was agreed in 2016 to establish an institutional mechanism between the NSCS and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.

The inaugural dialogue was held in April, 2018, in Hanoi.

Vietnam attends opening of UN Human Rights Council’s 51st session

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation and other international organizations in Geneva, attended the opening ceremony of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on September 12 (local time).

Mai congratulated Volker Türk for his appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights, and affirmed Vietnam’s support for and cooperation with the High Commissioner and his Office.

She shared the office’s concerns over three major global challenges which have huge impacts on the enjoyment of human rights, namely climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation. She called on the international community to act more urgently to respond to these challenges, reported VNA.

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese representative emphasized that the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should respect the diverse historical and socio-cultural conditions of countries, promote constructive dialogue and cooperation to protect and promote human rights in accordance with fundamental human rights principles, including universality, objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al Nashif delivered the Office’s report on the world’s human rights situation.

She called on countries to intensify coordination at multilateral forums, enhance political commitments to implementing international human rights standards, and uphold the role of international conventions and mechanisms, while asserting the council’s central role in enhancing international solidarity for peace, stability, justice and comprehensive and effective protection and promotion of human rights.

The council’s 51st session will last until October 7.

New Zealand attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam

Speaker of New Zealand’s House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe affirmed his nation’s recognition of great importance to boosting ties with Vietnam during a meeting on September 14 with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son as part of the latter’s official visit to New Zealand.

At the meeting, New Zealand Parliament Speaker Adrian Rurawhe expressed his delight at the positive development of friendly ties between the two countries and the two legislative bodies over the years.

He extended his best regards to Vietnamese high-ranking leaders and looks forward to welcoming National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on an official visit to New Zealand soon in order to discuss directions and measures to step up cooperation between the two parliaments as well as the two countries' strategic partnership in the context that the two countries have reopened and are on the path of socio-economic recovery and development.

Speaker of New Zealand’s House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe (R) and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Photo: VNA

Minister Bui Thanh Son congratulated New Zealand on its achievements in socio-economic development, and highly appreciated New Zealand's support for countries in the region, including Vietnam, in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

On this occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son informed about Vietnam's situation with initial achievements in socio-economic recovery and growth, emphasizing that the nation is fully open to welcome investment, trade and international tourism, including New Zealand.

He applauded the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation and dialogue mechanisms, expressing support for proposals of the two countries’ foreign ministers to maintain the exchange of delegations and high-level meetings; implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms; and bolster multifaceted cooperation, including new fields such climate change adaptation, marine environment protection, green and sustainable growth, and in implementing commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Rurawhe also highly valued the Vietnamese community in New Zealand, hoping that more and more Vietnamese students will study in his country, contributing to the strengthening of understanding between the two peoples, cited VOV.

In response, FM Son congratulated New Zealand on its socio-economic development, and appreciated the country’s support for regional countries, including Vietnam, in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He briefed the New Zealand official on Vietnam’s socio-economic recovery achievements, stressing that the country always opens its door to foreign trade and investment, and tourism, including New Zealand.

Son suggested the government and House of Representatives of New Zealand create conditions for the Vietnamese community to stably live in and integrate into the host country’s society; and make it easy for Vietnamese students to study in the country after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two sides should further enhance people-to-people exchange and tourism cooperation by soon resuming direct flights between the two countries, Son said.

Regarding regional and international cooperation, both sides affirmed they will maintain cooperation and coordination at multilateral mechanisms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the United Nations, as a contribution to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development on the basis of respect to international law and the UN Charter.

Vietnam’s economic rebound to continue in H2: ADB

Vietnam’s economic rebound is expected to continue over the second half of 2022, supported by strong economic fundamental, flexible monetary policy.

Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Viet Nam Andrew Jeffries made that above statement at a meeting aimed at seeking ways to stabilize macro-economy, which was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 12.

Economic developments in Vietnam in 2022 are taking place against a backdrop of slowing global economic growth, noted Andrew Jeffries.

Overall, Vietnam has withstood the economic shocks entailed by the pandemic well. This has owed a lot to the flexible but bold handling of the health crisis, cited VGP.

Domestic demand has been particularly solid overall. Retail sales data indicate that consumption continued rebounding strongly in the first half of 2022 after the contraction in the third quarter of 2021. Investment has buttressed growth.

Vietnam's low infection rates have contributed to better business prospects for foreign investors. Business activity has also been resilient, with industrial production recovering steadily.

ADB maintains the growth forecasts for Viet Nam made in ADB 2022, 6.5 percent for 2022 and 6.7 percent for 2023, the ADB Country Director emphasized.

Vietnam needs to further improve business climate, facilitate digital transformation

Macroeconomic policy should help enhance economic resilience, said Andrew Jeffries, adding that in the short run, accelerate the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Development Program endorsed by the National Assembly in January 2022.

The priority is to minimize the impact of high energy prices through targeted support for vulnerable households, he suggested.

In the medium term, it is crucial to strengthen macroeconomic policy frameworks by enhancing fiscal sustainability through expanding the tax base. Social protection also needs to be strengthened and economic informality reduced.

To maintain high economic growth from the recovery, Vietnam needs to further improve the business climate and facilitate the digital transformation.

Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Viet Nam Andrew Jeffries (L). Photo: VGP

Reinvigorating business dynamism requires further streamlining regulations, increasing the transparency of regulatory processes and leveling the playing field among all market participants, including between state-owned enterprises and private entities.

To achieve the objective of net-zero emissions by 2050, sustaining high levels of investment in renewable energy and pursuing greater energy efficiency will be needed, he recommended.

This can be achieved through a comprehensive policy approach that prioritizes effective public and private investment, conducive regulatory settings and market prices that better reflect carbon content.

ADB affirms utmost support for Vietnam's energy transition to achieve the net zero emissions and offer technical assistance support for Vietnam to undertake the feasibility of Energy Transition Mechanism, which can outline different scenarios for energy transition in Vietnam, the ADB Country Director stated.

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