Category: Politics

New York: Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan suggested empowering women and girls in science, technology and digital transformation while addressing the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on March 11 (local time).

The work should go in tandem with the fight against discrimination and violence in cyberspace, she said, stressing the need to promote women’s role in building an international environment of peace, stability, and inclusive and sustainable development, and handling non-traditional challenges, especially climate change.

Women should be given opportunities to maximise their capability in economic, political and social activities, and further engage in decision-making mechanisms in these fields, especially economy, Xuan continued.

The Vice President called on UN countries to work together to enhance partnership for sustainable development, and provide financial support and policy consultations for developing nation
s.

She used the occasion to brief the participants on Vietnam’s achievements in ensuring gender equality, elaborating that female National Assembly deputies make up 30.3% of the total seats; and female labour force participation, 70%.

In January, Vietnam issued a national action programme on women, peace and security for 2024-2030, Xuan said, affirming that the country stands ready to closely cooperate with others and partners for gender equality, and women’s and girls’ empowerment, ensuring that no one is left behind.

At the session, UN leaders expressed their concern about the stagnant implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially that on hunger eradication and poverty reduction, saying one in every 10 women in the world lives in extreme poverty.

UN leaders emphasised the need to ensure finance and enhance institutions to fully put in place the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strengthen women’s economic empowerm
ent.

The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

On the same day, Vice President Xuan met with Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Achim Steiner, during which she hailed the leadership role of the UNDP within the UN development system, particularly in advancing the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

She thanked the organisation for its continuous support to and partnership with Vietnam in the country’s reconstruction, development, and national-building efforts over the past nearly 50 years, with total assistance nearing 1 billion USD.

Xuan spoke of Vietnam’s efforts in implementing the Socio-economic Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, and the Socio-economic Development Plan for the 2021 – 2025 period, including maintaining macroeconomic stability, addressing climate change and natural disasters, transitio
ning growth models towards green, sustainable and inclusive development, as well as advancements in the Human Development Index (HDI) and gender equality.

She highly appreciated UNDP’s cooperation in implementing the Vietnam-UNDP Cooperation Programme for the 2022-2026 period, as well as in the draft outline of the Resource Mobilsation Plan for implementing the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The leader suggested the UNDP continue financial and policy assistance for Vietnam, help the country improve its capacity to implement the aforementioned priority policies, support the socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta region, and mobilise adequate resources from development partners to ensure the implementation of these tasks.

For his part, Steiner congratulated Vietnam on its great achievements thus far, describing them as a source of encouragement and substantial contribution to implementing the UN’s priorities.

He said Vietnam and the UNDP share common priorities regarding green an
d digital transformation, affirming that international organisation stands ready to support Vietnam in achieving its commitment of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and in implementing the JETP, accelerating decarbonisation processes and ensuring affordable access to clean energy. It will act as a bridge between Vietnam and international donors, as well as among the Mekong River basin countries, to support Vietnam in meeting its set objectives.

The two sides agreed to maintain close collaboration to enable Vietnam to make more significant contributions to UNDP’s global efforts in promoting sustainable development./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Komura Masahiro, member of the House of Representatives and Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in Hanoi on March 12.

Lauding the great progress of the Vietnam – Japan friendship and cooperation in various fields, Minister Son noted that Japan remains a partner of leading importance of Vietnam. It ranks first in terms of official development assistance (ODA) provision, second in labour cooperation, third in investment and tourism cooperation, and fourth among trading partners of Vietnam.

He said 2023 was a particularly successful year of the Vietnam – Japan relations as it saw the elevation of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which created an important basis for bilateral relations in the next 50 years, along with mutual visits by nearly 200 delegations at all levels, and more than 500 activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He asked Komura and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work close
ly with the Vietnamese side to promote the implementation of the newly established comprehensive strategic partnership and the agreements reached between the countries’ leaders; increase exchanges at all levels and between their Parties, States, and parliaments; and reactivate and step up cooperation mechanisms between ministries and sectors of the countries.

The host official called on Japan to continue assisting Vietnam to build an independent and self-reliant economy, and provide new-generation ODA for large-scaled strategic infrastructure development, climate change response, digital transformation, and healthcare projects.

Vietnam is pushing ahead with the establishment of a Government working group to accelerate investment cooperation and ODA projects between the two countries, he announced.

The Foreign Minister also asked for boosting people-to-people exchanges, a foundation for sustainable relations, through strengthened cooperation in culture, tourism, labour, and human resources training.

For hi
s part, Komura pledged close coordination with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to successfully organise high-level mutual visits in the coming time.

Japanese businesses are highly interested in expanding investment in Vietnam, he said, proposing the Vietnamese Government continue to further improve the investment climate and roll out partnerships in new areas like digital transformation, green transition, and cooperation within the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework.

At the meeting, the two sides also touched upon some regional and international issues. They affirmed that Vietnam and Japan will continue supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisations while enhancing coordination, stance sharing, and cooperation in issues of common concern./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: President Vo Van Thuong received Pakistani Ambassador Samina Mehtab in Hanoi on March 12, congratulating the outgoing diplomat on her excellent fulfillment of tasks in Vietnam.

The State leader highly valued the ambassador’s active and effective contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially the organisation of many meaningful activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022.

He highly appreciated Mehtab for holding a number of effective activities to promote cooperation between ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses of the two countries, thereby helping develop the Vietnam – Pakistan friendship and cooperation and expand cooperation areas, especially economy, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Many business delegations of Pakistan have also come to Vietnam to explore investment opportunities, he noted.

Thanking the President and relevant agencies of Vietnam for their active support for h
er and her colleagues to fulfill duties, Mehtab said she was deeply impressed with the sentiments and hospitality of Vietnamese people, which, she said, is why the country’s tourism is growing so strongly.

She underlined the importance of economic and trade partnerships and voiced her delight at the vigorous growth of bilateral trade.

The ambassador expressed her hope that the two sides will soon hold high-level mutual visits to open up more opportunities for boosting trade ties. She also suggested the countries’ parliamentary friendship groups increase sharing experience to help enrich cooperation achievements.

In addition, Mehtab called on the two countries to further step up collaboration in other fields, particularly information technology and between chambers of commerce to promote coordination programmes between Vietnamese and Pakistani businesses.

President Thuong emphasised that Vietnam always treasures the cooperation with Pakistan and wishes the bilateral relations will develop more strongly in
the future.

He agreed with the ambassador’s proposal on increasing high-level delegation exchanges, asking the two sides to boost mutual visits by delegations of ministries, sectors, localities, businesses, associations, and parliamentary friendship groups, along with people-to-people interactions, so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

Vietnam and Pakistan should make joint efforts to secure more fruitful partnerships in trade and investment, he added.

Through the ambassador, President Thuong sent congratulations to Asif Ali Zardari on his recent election as President of Pakistan and invited the latter to pay a visit to Vietnam.

He also expressed his hope that with her experience, understanding, and special sentiments towards Vietnam, Mehtab will further contribute to the two countries’ relations in the time to come./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 11 for Prosecutor General of Mongolia Jargalsaikhan Banzragch, expressing belief that his visit will further deepen ties between the two countries, especially their procuracy sectors on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year.

President Thuong highlighted the positive outcomes of bilateral relationship over the past seven decades, emphasising the benefits for both nations’ citizens. He specifically cited Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s visit to Vietnam in late 2023 as a catalyst for new and significant cooperation opportunities, including further strengthening ties between the two procuracies and people-to-people exchanges.

As Vietnam is aiming to become a developed country with modern industry and high middle income by 2030, he said the country has many tasks ahead, including building a rule-of-law state of the people, by the people and for the people; and developing a transparent legal
system in which the Supreme People’s Procuracy plays a crucial role.

Expressing his delight at key orientations to improving coordination efficiency set by leaders during Banzragch’s visit, Thuong wished that both sides would actively work together to better perform tasks of each procuracy sector; fight against crimes, particularly transnational crimes, and facilitate the exchange of delegations of procuracy staff at all levels to share and improve professional expertise and skills.

Banzragch, for his part, said during his visit, leaders of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Mongolia have agreed to enhance cooperation in protecting the rights and interests of citizens of each country, preventing transnational security threats and cybercrime while facilitating the exchange of delegations of procuracy staff at both central and local levels.

He described his visit as a turning point in the cooperative relationship between the two procuracy sectors, a foundational
pillar of Vietnam-Mongolia relations.

The guest wished to welcome President Thuong in Mongolia at his earliest convenience./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: A delegation from the Communist Party of the US (CPUSA) led by Arturo Cambron, a member of the National Committee, has paid a working visit to Vietnam to seek ways to boost ties with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

During their March 2-8 stay, the delegation visited Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; held talks with leaders of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations; had working sessions with leaders of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; and visited Hanoi-based rehabilitation and nursery centre for Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and Hoa Binh Village in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan district.

The delegation also worked with leaders of the Party Committees and visited several typical economic and agricultural production provincial, and historical and cul
tural relic sites in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Hung Yen.

This was the CPUSA’s first official visit to Vietnam within its “Hello Comrades” project to strengthen the friendship and connection between CPUSA and communist and worker parties around the world.

The delegation learned about the reality and experience in building the communist party, socialism and socialist democracy in Vietnam as well as Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style. They also discussed measures to promote information/experience sharing, and exchanges and friendship between the two parties and people of the two countries.

The CPUSA delegation said they were impressed by the achievements of Vietnam’s ‘Doi Moi’ (renewal) process under the leadership of the CPV, especially in terms of economic development coupled with ensuring social security and justice.

The good results that the CPV brought to the country and the Vietnamese people are a great spiritual encouragement for the communists and people in the US, they noted.

M
eeting with the CPUSA delegation, leaders of Vietnamese agencies affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always appreciate the enthusiastic support that the CPUSA and US friends have given to Vietnam in the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past as well as the cause of national renewal, construction, and defence today.

They thanked the CPUSA for its support for Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war and the Agent Orange/dioxin disaster as well as for the development of Vietnam-US relations. They hoped the two sides will continue to maintain their traditional friendship, contributing to strengthening the relations between the two countries and their people for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development in the region and the world./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon identified major orientations for further strengthening cooperation in multiple areas during talks in Wellington on March 11 morning.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the stable and increasingly effective development of their countries’ strategic partnership in all aspects, including politics – diplomacy, economy – trade, security – defence, education – training, agriculture, and labour, especially the frequent exchanges of high-ranking delegations and the good growth of bilateral trade, by 60% during 2017 – 2022.Read full text

-Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon co-chaired a press conference following their talks in Wellington on March 11 morning, saying they agreed to promote all-round cooperation to raise the two countries’ relations to a new height.

PM Chinh
noted that during the talks, the two sides discussed a wide range of areas of cooperation and outlined orientations for the Vietnam – New Zealand strategic partnership to continue growing strongly in the time ahead.Read full text

-Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro in Wellington on March 11 (local time), as part of his ongoing official visit to New Zealand.

The Governor-General said the PM’s visit is of significance as the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025, and expressed her belief that it will be a success, contributing to enhancing the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership.Read full text

-New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh have issued a joint press release on the occasion of the latter’s official visit to New Zealand.Read full text

-Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament Gerr
y Brownlee in Wellington on March 11 afternoon (local time) as part of his official visit to the South Pacific nation.

Congratulating Brownlee on being elected Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, PM Chinh expressed his belief that the country will become increasingly prosperous and secure a growing stature in the region and the world, with the New Zealand Parliament playing an important role.Read full text

-Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined New Zealand businesses in a seminar in Wellington on March 11 to learn about investment cooperation potential and demand between the two countries.

The event, part of his official visit to New Zealand, was held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand, and the ASEAN – New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC).Read full text

-Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is paying a working visit to the US, starting March 11 morning (Vietnam time), to attend the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and
carry out several bilateral activities in the US.

Xuan visited and offered sympathy to the family of left-wing activist Merle Ratner, a close friend of Vietnam, who passed away after a traffic accident in early February.Read full text

-The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti is working hard to complete necessary procedures to repatriate Vietnamese sailors working on the Barbados-flagged True Confidence cargo ship that was struck by a Houthi ballistic missile off the coast of Yemen on March 6.

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dung said on March 10 that the survivors and the body of seafarer Dang Duy Kien, now in Djibouti city, Djibouti, are expected to be brought home as soon as possible.Read full text

– The 2024 list of the top 500 fastest growing enterprises in Vietnam (FAST500) has been released by the Vietnam Report JSC.

The top 10 businesses consist of Binh Thuan Plastic Group JSC, HD Securities Corporation, Orient Securities Corporation, Imedia Technology and Services JSC, SOL E and C Construction Investm
ent JSC, Vietnam Vitadairy Milk JSC, Taseco Land Investment JSC, Stellapharm J.V. Co. Ltd, CNC Technology Solutions JSC, and Bee Logistics Corporation.Read full text

-Vietnam witnessed the establishment of 22,128 enterprises in the first two months of the year with combined registered capital of nearly 219 trillion VND (8.88 billion USD), according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Business Registration Management Agency.

The figures represented a year-on-year increase of 12.4% in the number of new businesses, and a rise of 32.8% in capital.Read full text/.

Source: Vietnam News Agency