VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 30
09:30 Work on Tan Son Nhat airport’s terminal T3 to begin in
December Construction of passenger terminal
T3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will start in
December, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). Le Quyet Tien, Deputy Director of
the Transport Ministry’s Transport Engineering Construction and Quality
Management Bureau, said on October 28 that the ACV has completed a
feasibility study report and plans to approve the project in early November
2021. The construction is expected to
complete in 24 months so as to help raise the capacity of Tan Son Nhat – the
largest airport in the country, address traffic congestion in its vicinity,
and fuel economic and tourism development in HCM City and other southern
localities. The project is invested with a total
of about 10.99 trillion VND (478 million USD) by the ACV. Once operational, Terminal T3 will
be able to serve up to 20 million passengers annually, according to the Prime
Minister’s Decision 657/QD-TTg, dated May 19, 2020, that gave the green light
to the project. The new facility will handle
domestic flights, thus helping to ease pressure on Terminal T1 that is
currently overloaded and to improve service quality./. Cambodia provides Vietnam
with 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses
Cambodia has presented Vietnam with
200,000 doses of Vero Cell COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinopharm. The Cambodian Health Ministry’s
Secretary of State Or Vandine handed over the vaccines to the Vietnamese side
at a ceremony held at Bavet-Moc Bai International Border Gates on October 29
morning. In her remarks, Or Vandine said the
gift demonstrates the attention and sharing of the Cambodian government and
people as well as Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen towards Vietnamese
people. Cambodia hopes that the vaccines
will effectively contribute to the COVID-19 fight in Vietnam, especially
localities bordering Cambodia, she said, expressing her belief that Vietnam
will soon contain the pandemic, restore its socio-economic activities and
continue to develop sustainably. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health
Tran Van Thuan stressed that the gift vividly manifests the solidarity and
good neighbourliness between the two countries. Since the pandemic broke out,
Vietnam and Cambodia have closely coordinated and supported each other in the
combat, at both central and grassroots levels./. Mekong Delta holds virtual
job fair for returnee workers The Employment Service Centre of Can
Tho in coordination with Mekong Delta provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh
Duong province held a virtual job fair on October 29 to support
enterprises in restoring operations and help workers who returned to their
hometowns in the Mekong Delta to escape the COVID-19 outbreak with
employment opportunities. Following the COVID-19 resurgence
that resulted in prolonged lockdown in Ho Chi Minh City and several
southeastern localities, around 100,000 workers in these industrial hubs have
returned to their hometown in the Mekong Delta, causing a serious
shortage of labour for firms in the southeast region. The fair saw the participation of
114 enterprises with 31,000 vacancies. About
600 labourers from Mekong Delta, HCM City and Binh Duong also
attended the event in person. Nguyen Ngoc Quyen, from Hau Giang
province, said she hopes to find a job after staying at home over the past
three months. According to Le Thi Thu Ngan, a
personnel staff from TaekWang Can Tho Ltd.Co, due to the COVID-19 pandemic
there was a shortage of labourers. She said the company requires applicants
to have received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine for at least 14 days
before the date of starting work. However, a survey conducted by the company
showed many job seekers have not been vaccinated or vaccinated but yet for 14
days. Le Ngoc Truong Giang from MK JSC’s
recruitment division said the company attended the virtual job fair in the
hope of reaching those who do not reside in Can Tho city. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, deputy director
of Can Tho Employment Service Centre said through the job fair, employers
will have access to experienced workers, thereby helping businesses restore
production after being affected by the pandemic. At the same time, the event
also creates favorable conditions for out-of-job workers to meet employers
and and quickly go back to work. She said the centre expects to
organise another job fair in November or December this year./. Viettel's smart city model
named world's most effective and innovative Viettel’s smart city model is the
most effective and innovative in the world, according to the World
Communication Awards (WCA) 2021’s announcement. Viettel is the only Vietnamese
enterprise on the list of nominations and winners at this year's WCA,
surpassing the leading giants such as China Telecom Global, KT Corporation
and ZARIOT secured SIMs in the same category. The Smart Cities Award is a category
that seeks to find an effective and creative operation solution, bringing
benefits to people and businesses towards improving the quality of life and
increasing the operating efficiency of the city government. The award is evaluated based on five
criteria including application scope; the ability to meet people's needs or
improve their lives; completeness compared to existing solutions in the
market; benefits brought to people; the role of organisations and businesses
in building a smart city. Viettel’s smart city model is a
comprehensive solution that could be tailored according to needs,
characteristics, current situation and culture of each province/city, helping
use local resources in the optimal way, providing accurate and appropriate
analysis, thereby improving competitiveness and increasing people's
satisfaction. Viettel is a Vietnamese enterprise
named alongside big players in the technology and telecommunications industry
in the world such as Orange, Swisscom, Airtel, Ericsson, PCCW Global. Up to 30 localities have signed
co-operation agreements with Viettel in the application of smart city
construction technology. WCA is one of the most prestigious
telecommunications awards on a global scale, initiated and held annually by
Total Telecom Magazine (UK) since 1999. The judging board consists of 70
experts who are representatives of the largest organisations in the telecom
industry such as IDC, GSA, Global Data./. ASEAN nations share practices
in civil service reforms, capacity building The Ministry of Home Affairs held a
training workshop via video teleconference on October 29 morning for ASEAN
member states to share practices in civil service reforms and capacity
building for local civil servants in 2021. It was the third of its kinds held in
accordance with the ministry’s Action Plan to implement the “ASEAN
Declaration on the Role of Civil Service as A Catalyst for Achieving ASEAN
Community Vision 2025.″ The operation of civil service
agencies has been badly affected by restrictions induced by COVID-19, said
ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Ekkaphab Phanthavong. Against such backdrop, ASEAN member
states have remained committed to deliver high-quality civil services to
their citizens, he said, adding that challenges in the delivery of civil services
in the “new normal” are a wakeup call for the member states to further
accelerate reforms and modernization in the field. At the event, participants received
updates of ASEAN’s cultural-social affairs and cooperation frameworks within
the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, as well as plans for the implementation
of the Socio-Cultural Community’s goals and related goals by 2025, along with
integrated activities for the civil service agencies in the coming time. In her speech, Ha Thi Minh Duc,
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social
Affairs’ Department of International Cooperation, said to effectively beef up
ASEAN cooperation, it is crucial to heighten political commitments and
awareness of ASEAN and develop the greater sense of belonging as a community. She also called for better efforts
in raising people’s awareness of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community goals./. Plenty of room for
Vietnam-Africa partnership to thrive: Deputy Foreign Minister President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance
and remarks at the open debate on cooperation between the UN and African
Union (AU) on October 28 are of remarkable significance, Deputy Foreign
Minister Pham Quang Hieu told reporters. It shows Vietnam’s sense of
responsibility towards the UN and UN Security Council (UNSC)’s activities as
well as the international community’s common concerns, Hieu said, adding that
it also demonstrates Vietnam’s strong interest in Africa and the AU, and the
country's will to share difficulties and step up cooperation with African
countries. The president’s speech and proposals
were held in high regard by participating heads of UN member states and
organisations, he stated. According to the Deputy Minister,
through the event, Vietnam has further promoted its active role and
contribution as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, following its successful
performance as rotating president of the UNSC in April, 2021. He went on to say that Vietnam has
maintained good friendship with all African countries, built on the solidarity
among their liberation movements during the 1950s – 1960s. Entering the 21st
century, Vietnam and African countries have constantly consolidated and
expanded their win-win partnerships in various areas, he continued. Good political ties have provided a
push for cooperation between the two sides in economics, trade and other
major fields; and both sides have closely coordinated and supported each
other at multilateral forums, like the UN, he said. There is plenty of room for the
partnership between the two sides to thrive further, he noted, voicing his
hope that the multifaceted ties will be further deepened, contributing to
peace, cooperation and development of each side and region. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on
October 28 attended the virtual high-level open debate on UN-AU cooperation
at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, who holds the
rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in October 2021. The debate took the theme “Renewing
solidarity to successfully deliver peace and security in a changing conflict
environment”./. Vietnam participates in ASEAN
Summits actively, proactively: Deputy FM Vietnam has made it a point to
participate in the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits with an
active, proactive and responsible spirit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nguyen Quoc Dung told the press after the series of events ended. Vietnam engaged in all discussions
of the meetings which took place over a course of three days from October
26-28, said Dung, who is also head SOM ASEAN Vietnam. He added that many
initiatives raised by Vietnam won support from other countries. According to the official, since the
beginning of 2021, Vietnam has made responsible contributions to the
compilation of about 100 documents submitted to regional leaders for
approval. As for the COVID-19 combat, Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s remarks on the new strategy with an all-people
approach were welcomed by other participating countries. Vietnam’s proposals
regarding sustainable recovery has also drew attention of the delegates. Vietnam’s candid, sincere and
transparent approach to regional and international matters, including the
East Sea issue and the enhancement of regional connectivity, has been fully
reflected in documents of the meetings, Dung said. The official emphasised that
Vietnam’s contributions have helped to affirm the country’s role and
prestige. Outcomes of the events mirror what
the bloc and its partners are interested in and wish to take part in
actively, proactively and responsibly, Dung noted. He highlighted the solidarity and
consensus in ASEAN Community building as an outstanding result of the
meetings. In addition, partners have continued to attach great importance to
the grouping and committed to working together with it to effectively contain
the pandemic and cope with emerging challenges. The leaders also had in-depth
discussions on issues affecting regional peace, stability and development,
including those regarding the East Sea and Myanmar and how to narrow
development gaps, Dung said. /. Vietnam participates in ASEAN
Summits actively, proactively: Deputy FM Vietnam has made it a point to
participate in the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits with an
active, proactive and responsible spirit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nguyen Quoc Dung told the press after the series of events ended. Vietnam engaged in all discussions
of the meetings which took place over a course of three days from October
26-28, said Dung, who is also head SOM ASEAN Vietnam. He added that many
initiatives raised by Vietnam won support from other countries. According to the official, since the
beginning of 2021, Vietnam has made responsible contributions to the
compilation of about 100 documents submitted to regional leaders for approval. As for the COVID-19 combat, Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s remarks on the new strategy with an all-people
approach were welcomed by other participating countries. Vietnam’s proposals
regarding sustainable recovery has also drew attention of the delegates. Vietnam’s candid, sincere and
transparent approach to regional and international matters, including the
East Sea issue and the enhancement of regional connectivity, has been fully
reflected in documents of the meetings, Dung said. The official emphasised that
Vietnam’s contributions have helped to affirm the country’s role and
prestige. Amid a range of difficulties, both
in and outside the region, the organisation of the series of meetings with
the participation of leaders from all ASEAN member countries has affirmed the
ten-member grouping’s spirit and values, the Deputy Minister said. Outcomes of the events mirror what
the bloc and its partners are interested in and wish to take part in
actively, proactively and responsibly, Dung noted. He highlighted the solidarity and
consensus in ASEAN Community building as an outstanding result of the
meetings. In addition, partners have continued to attach great importance to
the grouping and committed to working together with it to effectively contain
the pandemic and cope with emerging challenges. The leaders also had in-depth
discussions on issues affecting regional peace, stability and development,
including those regarding the East Sea and Myanmar and how to narrow
development gaps, Dung said. /. Vietnam-Algeria economic ties
yet to match with potential: Ambassador Economic and trade cooperation
between Vietnam and Algeria has yet to match their political ties as well as
their potential, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Nguyen Thanh Vinh has said. In an interview granted to Vietnam
News Agency on the occasion of the 59th founding anniversary of diplomatic
ties (October 28), Vinh noted that in the first nine months of 2021, two-way
trade reached only 110 million USD. There is currently one Vietnamese
business investing in Algeria, while no investor from the African country is
present in Vietnam. In the context that the COVID-19
pandemic is affecting all aspects of the economic and social life, including
diplomatic activities and delegation exchanges between the two countries, the
embassy has made great efforts to organise a number of activities in order to
strengthen and promote the traditional friendship between Vietnam and
Algeria. These activities have contributed to
maintaining a close and regular relationship between the two governments and
the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, affirming and consolidating the
traditional friendship based on the common history of the two countries, he
stated. Senior leaders are committed to
further promoting the bilateral relationship by holding regular discussions,
consultations and supporting each other at international forums. Next year will mark 60 years since
Algeria gained independence and the two countries set up their diplomatic
ties, Vietnam and Algeria will organise a wide range of celebrations,
including Vietnam Culture Day/Week in Algeria or Algeria Culture Day/Week in
Vietnam./. Vietnam honoured as World's,
Asia's Best Golf Destination 2021 Vietnam is named the World's and
Asia's Best Golf Destination 2021 at the eighth annual World Golf
Awards held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It is the second year that Vietnam
has been honoured with the world title and the fifth consecutive year with
the Asian title since 2017. Despite the impacts
of COVID-19, a record amount of votes was collected this year. The World Golf Awards celebrate and
reward excellence in golf tourism through the annual awards programme. It is
part of World Travel Awards. Earlier, the Vietnam National
Administration of Tourism was honoured as Asia's Leading Tourist Board 2021
of the 28th World Travel Awards, after the first time it received the
title in 2017. The WTA also honoured Vietnam
as Asia’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, and Hoi An was named
Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination, Ha Long Bay as Asia’s Leading
Tourist Attraction, and Cuc Phuong National Park as Asia’s Leading National
Park. Notably, Vietnam Airlines won the
award Asia’s Leading Airline for Economic Class, while Vietravel was awarded
the Asia’s Leading Tour Operator title. Data of the General Statistics
Office showed that Vietnam welcomed 10,600 foreign visitors in October, a
year-on-year decline of 28.8 percent. The GSO attributed the nosedive to
the continuation of COVID-19 preventive measures, including the closure of
borders to international tourism, noting that most of the foreign arrivals
were experts and technical workers performing duties at projects in Vietnam. The figure hit more than 125,000 in
ten months, slipping 96.7 percent compared to the same period last year./. Vietnam plays active role in
climate change response: ambassador Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s
attendance at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26),
to be held in Glasgow, the UK, from October 31 to November 3, demonstrates
the Vietnamese Government’s determination and efforts in promoting and
realising international commitments to climate change response. Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK
Nguyen Hoang Long made the remarks in an interview granted to the Vietnam
News Agency (VNA), ahead of the government leader’s trip to the UK for the
event. His attendance also proves Vietnam
is an active member, and a reliable and responsible partner in this regard,
the ambassador said, adding that the trip will offer an opportunity for Vietnam
to enhance cooperation with its partners, both bilateral and multilateral,
and international organisations in the field. During his three-day working trip in
Scotland, Chinh will also hold high-level bilateral and multilateral
meetings, and engage in trade and investment promotion activities between
Vietnam and the UK. He is scheduled to meet with
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and attend the signing ceremony of cooperation
agreements between AstraZeneca and Vietnamese partners to foster cooperation
in the transfer of production technologies for vaccine and treatment drug
between the two sides. For climate change response, Long
affirmed Vietnam’s strong resolve and commitments to the fight, which can be
seen in the fact that Vietnam is one of the first 20 countries in the world
to submit the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the
Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). Vietnam is also among very few
nations that have increased their contributions to cutting greenhouse gas
emissions in the paper. Such efforts have been acknowledged
at international forums on climate change, the diplomat emphasised. Asked about cooperation between
Vietnam and the UK in this sphere, Ambassador Long said the two countries
have implemented many joint relevant programmes and projects. The UK has pledged to support
Vietnam’s low-carbon economic growth strategy adaptable to climate change,
shifting towards renewable energy and the transfer of green
science-technology and finance. The UK will also help Vietnam access
international loans in climate change response. Apart from bilateral cooperation,
the two countries have also coordinated at international forums such as the
UNFCCC and the Paris agreement. They have agreed to strengthen cooperation
and dialogues in responding to climate change and mitigating its impacts at
the technical level, while fostering collaboration in sustainable consumption
and the building of the circular economy. Long stressed that the PM’s trip
also aims to deliver Vietnam’s message on its efforts to realize commitments
to climate change response and the country’s policy on attracting investments
in cooperation areas towards building a green economy./. Vietnam affirms support for
international legal processes at UN General Assembly Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Deputy
Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, affirmed Vietnam’s support for
international legal processes, including those at the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) while addressing the 76th UN General Assembly’s plenary meeting
discussing the court’s annual report on October 28. Anh emphasised that the peaceful
settlement of international disputes is one of the basic principles of
international law. He said that countries can choose
from a variety of dispute settlement methods under the provisions of the UN
Charter, including the arbitration mechanism, and they have obligations to
comply with and implement decisions and judgments of international
jurisdiction agencies. Vietnam has contributed ideas to
many legal processes at the ICJ, and hopes that the court will continue
supporting the improvement of capacity of countries in using arbitration and
jurisdiction mechanisms to resolve disputes. Regarding the Trust Fund for the
Judicial Fellowship Programme of the ICJ, Anh affirmed that Vietnam expects
the trust fund will come into operation soon to support law students
graduating from developing countries to practice at the court, thus
contributing to improving the international legal capacity of these
countries. ICJ President Judge Joan E. Donoghue
said the court has been seised of three new contentious cases since August 1,
2020, the starting date of the period covered by the report, and that the
court has held hybrid hearings in nine cases and delivered five judgments
during the same period. There are currently four cases under deliberation,
she added. Donoghue noted that the court’s
docket remained full, with 15 contentious cases currently pending before it
“involving States from all regions of the world and touching on a wide range
of issues, including territorial and maritime delimitation, the status of
international watercourses, reparations for internationally wrongful acts,
and alleged violations of bilateral and multilateral treaties concerning,
among other things, diplomatic relations, the elimination of racial
discrimination, the prevention of genocide and the suppression of terrorism
financing”. Representatives from more than 60
countries also delivered speeches at the event, in which they affirmed that
the ICJ has an important role in the peaceful settlement of disputes through
adjudicating cases between states and providing advisory opinions at the
request of the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council and several UN
agencies under the provisions of the UN Charter. Through its judicial
function, the court has made an important contribution to promoting the
observance of the UN Charter and international law, and to sustainable
development, peace, security and stability in the world./. Women should be at centre of
every recovery, development effort: Vice President Women should be placed at the centre
of every post-pandemic recovery and development effort, Vietnamese Vice
President Vo Thi Anh Xuan told the 2021 Global Summit of Women in Lisbon,
Portugal, on October 28. Addressing the summit’s opening
ceremony, Vice President Xuan underlined women’s comprehensive role in and
enormous contributions to common efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and
respond to its negative impacts. However, she noted, women and girls
are also the ones suffering the most from the pandemic and facing the risk of
lagging behind after the pandemic. To achieve a peaceful, prosperous,
humane, and sustainable world, the Vice President underlined the need to promote
women’s role and full and equal participation in keeping national and
international peace and security, especially in preventing conflicts and
resolving non-traditional challenges, thus creating a solid foundation for
transforming economies. Women should be placed at the centre
of every socio-economic recovery and development effort in the post-pandemic
period. They need to be given all possible conditions to access resources and
knowledge, apply science and technology, and acquire skills for starting
business and developing a digital economy, according to Xuan. She held that it is necessary to
improve women’s digital access and application, bring into play their role in
building a digital economy with green, inclusive, and sustainable growth, in
tandem with the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. She suggested the summit establish a
fund or annual awards for honouring excellent initiatives to ensure gender
diversity in business leadership, and for women who run micro-, small-, and
medium-sized enterprises or greatly contribute to society, the pandemic
fight, and environmental protection. The Vice President also called for
enhancing the role and improving operations of women’s networks in various
areas and at all levels so that women can connect, share experience, seek
partners, and assist one another more easily. Highlighting Vietnamese women’s
significant role and major contributions to the country throughout history,
she noted women are accounting for 30.26 percent of deputies to the country’s
incumbent National Assembly (the highest percentage over the last 45 years),
50 percent of the key positions in ministries and ministry-level agencies,
and 26.5 percent of the business owners (ranking sixth in the world in terms
of the rate of women entrepreneurs). They have also been actively engaging in
the COVID-19 combat, especially in the frontline. Promoting gender equality and women
empowerment is a consistent policy and also one of the top priorities of
Vietnam in regional and international cooperation frameworks, the Vice
President affirmed. During the summit, the Vietnamese
delegation actively took part in nearly 20 plenary and panel discussions on
different issues. International delegates spoke highly
of Vietnam’s achievements in gender equality promotion and women empowerment,
noting that they are impressed with the dynamism of Vietnamese businesswomen. Themed “Women Transforming
Economies”, the summit attracted more than 500 delegates from 45 countries
and territories, including officials, female business leaders, and
representatives of women’s organisations./. Vietnam proposes raising
awareness of online hate speech impacts Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong
Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN),
on October 28 emphasised the need to raise public awareness of impacts from
online hate speech in society. Addressing an Arria-Formula Meeting
on Hate Speech and Social Media of the UN Security Council, Tra said it is
necessary to develop communication and education programmes to equip social
media users with skills to assess contents and information on the internet. Apart from addressing root causes
like poverty and inequality as well as issues regarding transparency in
governance, countries should review and build legal frameworks and policies
on preventing incitement to hatred and strengthening national unity through
dialogues and inclusive reconciliation, she suggested. Tech firms that offer social media
services and individuals also need to hold accountable for preventing and
easing the risks of online hate speech, according to the Vietnamese
representative. Tra proposed the UN step up its
partnerships with all relevant sides, including governments, regional and
international organisations, the private sector and other relevant parties in
this regard. Vietnam always considers people the
centre of development and consistently pursues a policy of equality,
solidarity, and mutual respect and support for common progress, she noted. All acts of discrimination and incitement
to hatred and violence are banned in Vietnam, the diplomat said. At the meeting, participating
countries shared concerns over the abuse of social media to incite hatred and
violence, and threaten peace and security, both nationally and internationally. Governments should take the main
responsibility, they said, stressing the significant role of tech firms and
social media in preventing and reducing impacts of the problem, they said. The delegates also proposed a number
of measures to enhance coordination between countries and international
organisations and tech firms in this field./.  President addresses online
high-level debate on UN-AU cooperation President Nguyen Xuan
Phuc attended the virtual high-level open debate on
cooperation between the United Nations (UN) and the African
Union (AU) on October 28, at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart
Uhuru Kenyatta, who holds the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council
(UNSC) in October 2021. The debate took the theme “Renewing
solidarity to successfully deliver peace and security in a changing conflict
environment”. In his speech, President Phuc said
many African countries have still suffered prolonged consequences of
colonialism and slavery regime, as well as conflicts, terrorism, extreme violence,
transnational crimes, climate change, food and water source insecurity. In order to help them with national
reconstruction and development, response to and recovery in the post-pandemic
period, he suggested that they should strongly improve self-resilience to
deal with internal affairs, promote trust building and dialogues, enhance
women and youth empowerment. The African nations were advised to
continue fostering friendship, expanding cooperation and integration,
consolidating multilateralism, and upholding the spirit of abiding by
international law and the UN Charter. President Phuc proposed the UN and
AU pioneer in the implementation of the Initiative on Silencing the Guns in
Africa by 2030, the UN Agenda 2030 and Africa’s Agenda 2063 on Sustainable
Development, and fully and effectively step up the strategic partnership
between the UNSC and the AU’s Peace and Security Council. His other suggestions included
expanding cooperation among regional organisations to improve their capacity
of preventing and addressing conflicts, coping with regional and global
challenges; supporting comprehensive exchange and cooperation between ASEAN
and the AU; and strengthening food security to contribute to socio-economic
stability. The President stressed that Vietnam always
stands side by side with African nations to overcome difficulties, expand
effective coordination towards peace and development, and offer medical
supplies to fight the pandemic. He also expressed his wish that
Vietnam would soon become an observer of the AU after the country had sent
many military officers and doctors to join UN missions in South Sudan and the
Central African Republic. At the event, the UNSC adopted its
Presidential Statement on strengthening cooperation between the UN and the
AU./. Vietnam, New Zealand foster
strategic partnership Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui
Thanh Son has suggested Vietnam and New Zealand early complete the signing of
an action programme for 2021-2024 on the sidelines of the APEC Economic
Leaders’ Week to push forward their strategic partnership. The minister made the suggestion at
a reception for New Zealand Ambassador Tridene Dobson in Hanoi on October 28. He also urged efforts to make it
easier for Vietnamese agro-fishery products to access the New Zealand market,
towards the goal of bringing two-way trade to 2 billion USD in 2024. Son used the occasion to call on New
Zealand to maintain its official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam as
well as scholarships for Vietnamese officials and students. For her part, Ambassador Dobson
spoke highly of Vietnam’s measures to contain and adapt to the COVID-19
pandemic in a flexible and effective fashion, saying New Zealand has also
rolled out similar strategies and measures. The ambassador said she is working
with New Zealand agencies on how to help Vietnam cope with COVID-19, and
thanked the Southeast Asian nation for its support to New Zealand in the
early days when the island nation took over the APEC Chairmanship in 2021. New Zealand attaches importance to
developing the strategic partnership with Vietnam in various fields, she
said, informing her host that New Zealand is implementing many development
programmes to help Vietnam respond to climate change, develop rural areas and
improve women’s capacity./. ASEAN Summits and related
summits wrap up The 38th and 39th ASEAN
Summits and Related Summits, which were held via videoconference,
concluded on October 28 after three days of sitting under the chair of Brunei
Darussalam - Chair of ASEAN 2021. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh
Chinh attended 14 out of 17 major activities, including the 38th and 39th
ASEAN Summits, and ASEAN Summits with the Republic of Korea, China, the US,
Japan, Australia, India, Russia, the ASEAN 3 Summit and the 16th East Asia
Summit (EAS). At these meetings, PM Chinh
delivered important speeches, focusing on key issues and emerging challenges
faced by ASEAN, including COVID-19 response, post-pandemic economic recovery,
the East Sea and Myanmar issues, building the post-2025 ASEAN Community
Vision and promoting ASEAN’s role in sub-regional cooperation. He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign
policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and
multilateralisation, and comprehensive and intensive international
integration, affirming that Vietnam is an active, proactive member and makes
responsible contributions to ASEAN’s common affairs; stands side by side with
countries to overcome difficulties; maintain solidarity; effectively cope
with emerging challenges, and consolidates ASEAN’s central role, position and
international voice. During the meetings, leaders of
ASEAN and partner countries reached high consensus on measures to enhance
cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially improving medical
capacity, vaccine self-sufficiency, restoring socio-economic development, and
resuming travelling among nations in the new normal. PM Pham Minh Chinh attends the
closing ceremony of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits. (Photo: VNA) The leaders also looked into
emerging issues affecting peace, security and stability in the region and the
world. Regarding the East Sea issue, they
heightened the sense of responsibility, spirit of law abidance, peaceful
settlement of disputes, full and effective implementation of the Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and building of an effective
and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with
international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS). The leaders of the ASEAN and partner
nations announced, adopted and took note of about 100 documents, including
declarations, strategies, cooperation frameworks, plans of action, reports
and vision papers in fields under three pillars of regional cooperation. On October 28 afternoon, Brunei
transferred the ASEAN Chairmanship 2022 to Cambodia./. Scholarships offered to Vietnamese-Cambodian
students The King Technologies Co. Ltd.
(OpenNet) and the human resource development fund for the Vietnamese
community in Cambodia signed an agreement in Phnom Penh on October 28 to
provide scholarships for Cambodian students of Vietnamese origin who are
studying in Vietnamese universities. Accordingly, OpenNet will
offer 10 scholarships, each worth 160 USD, to disadvantaged
Vietnamese-Cambodian students in Vietnam each month. The scholarships will be
sent to them via the fund. Speaking at the signing ceremony,
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang hailed OpenNet’s effort for
the cause of education and training for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia,
especially its commitment to offer stable jobs to these students when they return
to Cambodia after graduation. The Vietnamese Embassy will direct
the fund to work closely to offer the best practical benefits to students, he
said. Chairman of the Khmer-Vietnamese
Association in Cambodia Sym Chi said over 100 Vietnamese-Cambodian graduates
have so far earned stable jobs in Cambodia after they graduated from
Vietnamese universities./. Prison sentences announced
for Truong Chau Huu Danh, his accomplices The People’s Court of Thoi Lai
district in Can Tho city on October 28 announced prison sentences ranging
from two years to four and a half years for Truong Chau Huu Danh and members
of the “Bao sach” group. The defendants were sentenced on the
charge of "abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to violate the
interests of the State and the legitimate rights and interests of
organisations and citizens” under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code (revised
and supplemented in 2017). Danh, 39 from the southern province
of Long An, received a jail term of four and a half years. 36-year-old Doan Kien Giang and
39-year-old Le The Thang, from HCM City and Hanoi, each was sentenced to
three years in prison. Meanwhile, Nguyen Phuoc Trung Bao,
39, from Da Nang city, and Nguyen Thanh Nha, 41, from HCM City, each will
spend two years in jail. They are banned from journalism
practice within three years after they complete the jail terms. According to the indictment, in
August 2019, Danh and his accomplices created the Facebook fanpage named “Bao
sach,” a group named “Lam bao sach” and a Youtube channel named “BS Channel”
to post 47 articles and video clips on issues of public concern. The articles and video clips posted
by the group used unverified, untrue, and one-sided information that
intentionally misled public opinions, causing misunderstanding and creating
conditions for negative comments, thus inciting people to oppose guidelines
of the Party, and policies and laws of the State. Their acts have also affected the
management work in localities, triggered confusion, suspicion in the public
and undermined public trust in the State and all-level authorities in social
management. During the investigation, Danh and
his accomplices admitted to their wrongdoings. After Danh was arrested in late
2020, the remaining members left the group. Thang removed the Facebook page
and Youtube channel and left the "Lam bao sach" group./. Webinar discusses ways to
develop Vietnam's social security till 2030 The Vietnam Social
Security (VSS) held an international consultation webinar on October 28
on development strategy orientations to 2030 with a vision through 2045. Speaking at the event, VSS General
Director Nguyen The Manh said the rate of public satisfaction with services
provided by the VSS on new and traditional platforms has been relatively
high. The VSS has become the biggest social welfare fund and made certain
contributions to the country's socio-economic development, he said. Manh said the VSS has set a target
that by 2030, about 60 percent of the workforce in the eligible age will join
social insurance and about 45 percent will be covered by unemployment
insurance. Farmers and workers in the non-official sector voluntarily joining
social insurance will account for nearly 5 percent of the total. Around 60 percent of people after
the retirement ages will receive pensions, monthly social insurance
allowances and social subsidies. The rate of public satisfaction
with social insurance will reach 90 percent. Participants at the event heard the
VSS’s introduction of orientations to its development strategy by 2030 with
the common goal of developing a streamlined, professional, modern, effective
and efficient social insurance sector./. Lao province assists HCM City
in COVID-19 combat The Lao province of Attapeu has
presented 100 million LAK (8,200 USD) to aid Ho Chi Minh City in the COVID-19
combat. Lao Consul General in HCM City
Phimpha Keomixay on October 28 handed over the donation to Chairwoman of the
city's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee To Thi Bich Chau. At the hand-over ceremony, Chau
thanked the wholehearted support of the Lao province, saying it demonstrates
the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation
between the two countries. She said over the past time,
Vietnamese and Lao leaders have exchanged regards and supported each other in
pandemic prevention and control. HCM City is working together with
Lao localities to implement cooperation activities, thus bringing practical
benefits to people of both nations, and helping to consolidate and enhance
the bilateral relations. For her part, Phimpha thanked HCM
City for its assistance to Lao localities in the cause of national
construction and development, as well as in the pandemic fight. The city has
also supported Lao citizens living, studying and working there. The diplomat expressed her hope that
Vietnam and HCM City in particular will soon control the pandemic, and
continue socio-economic development activities in the new normal. She also suggested further
implementing cooperation programmes within the framework of signed
agreements, including the pact on collaboration between HCM City and the Lao
capital city of Vientiane for 2021-2025./. Vietnam makes efforts to
contribute to ASEAN-Russia partnership: PM Vietnam has been always making
efforts to contribute to the development of the strategic partnership and
mutually beneficial cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and Russia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the
4th ASEAN-Russia Summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of bilateral
relations, held virtually on October 28. The Vietnamese leader made the
remark at the 4th ASEAN-Russia Summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of
bilateral relations. PM Chinh suggested Russia continue
assisting people of ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, in the
country. Russian President Vladimir Putin
stressed that ASEAN is Russia’s reliable strategic partner, and Russia is
willing to assist the bloc in combating COVID-19 and easing its
socio-economic impacts. Russia will continue to actively
join ASEAN-led forums, and support the association’s centrality as well as
its efforts in promoting dialogue, cooperation and trust building, he
affirmed. At the end of the meeting, the
two sides adopted a joint declaration on building a peaceful, stable and
sustainable region, and another on cooperation in the global drug
combat./. Vietnam ready to welcome
sport teams to SEA Games 31 in mid-May 2022 Vietnam is ready to welcome sport
teams from 11 regional countries to the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
mid-May, 2022, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang
Dao Cuong. Speaking at the sixth
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-6) that was held virtually on
October 28, Cuong said after nearly five months of hiatus caused by COVID-19
pandemic, preparations for the tournament are being accelerated in the spirit
of ensuring the best possible facilities and the absolute safety of
participants at the event. Discussions at the event focused on
sport cooperation programmes in the region for 2021-2025, towards building a
dynamic ASEAN Community where all sports are fully developed. Delegates also looked into sports’
contributions to peace and development, how to promote healthy lifestyle via
engaging in sport and physical activities, as well as develop professionalism
and integrity in sports and sport science. The meeting adopted the AMMS-6’s
report and agreed to issue a joint statement and submit several documents to
the 40th ASEAN Summit. The documents include the ASEAN Plan of Action on
Sport for the 2021-2025 period, the 2021-2022 ASEAN-FIFA cooperation plan,
the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and the World Anti-Doping
Agency (WADA), and a joint statement of ASEAN sport ministers on creating a
solid foundation for ASEAN athletes at SEA Games towards Asian Games and
Olympic Games./. Hanoi regulates COVID-19
testing, monitoring, quarantine for returnees Hanoi will only require testing for
those who come from COVID-19-affected areas at level 4 (very high risk) and
quarantine for people from the areas at level 3 (high risk), according to the
city's Department of Health. The Hanoi Department of Health has
just issued temporary guidance on the implementation of health control
measures for people arriving from other localities. Those who arrive and/or return to
the city will not be required to show SARS-CoV-2 test results. Testing is not mandatory, except for
those coming from pandemic-hit areas at level 4 or medical isolation areas
and suspected cases or cases from pandemic areas at level 3. Those who have been fully vaccinated
or completely recovered from COVID-19 within six months by the time they
return to Hanoi from the extremely high-risk or quarantine areas (level 4),
will self-monitor their health at home for seven days and get tested once by
RT-PCR method on the first day in Hanoi. Those who have received just one
dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will self-quarantine at home for seven days,
continue to self-monitor their health at home for the next seven days, follow
the 5K measures and take two tests by RT-PCR method on the first and seventh
days since arrival in the city. Those who are not yet vaccinated
have to self-quarantine at home for 14 days from the date of arrival in
Hanoi, continue to self-monitor their health for the next 14 days, and be
tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR method three times on the 1st, 7th and 14th
days of arrival in Hanoi. Fully vaccinated people who return
to Hanoi from level-3 areas have to self-monitor at home for seven days,
while for unvaccinated the duration is 14 days. These returnees are not required to
be tested for the virus. Medical self-quarantine will not be
imposed on those returning from pandemic-hit areas at levels 2 and 1. All people arriving in Hanoi have to
make medical declarations and inform the local authorities. They have to immediately notify
local health authorities if they have symptoms of cough, fever, sore throat,
loss or decrease in smell and taste. In addition, people passing through
the city are not required to be tested but must follow the 5K measures and
not stop in the city except for force majeure cases./. Vietnam, Cambodia further
coordination in building shared border of peace, development Vietnam and Cambodia will continue
their close coordination to effectively implement legal documents regarding
the land border to ensure a shared borderline of friendship, peace,
stability, cooperation and sustainable development. The consensus was reach at the 11th
meeting on cooperation and development between border provinces of Vietnam
and Cambodia on October 28. Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Prime
Minister Pham Binh Minh, and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Interior Sar Kheng co-chaired the event that was held in the form of
videoconference. The two sides shared the view that
despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam and Cambodia have maintained
the development momentum of bilateral ties. It is worthy of note that they
have coordinated and supported each other in the pandemic combat in a timely
and effective manner. Remarkable achievements have been
recorded in cooperation between central agencies and local authorities of
Vietnamese and Cambodian border provinces over the past time, particularly in
land border demarcation and marker planting, border and border gate
management, and protecting security and order in border areas, they said. They also highlighted collaboration
between organisations and people-to-people exchanges between the border
localities. The two sides agreed to further
raise the efficiency of coordination in responding to COVID-19, and were
resolved to maintain the bilateral trade growth. The 12th meeting is scheduled to be
held in Vietnam next year./. Enhancing Vietnam-UK
relations in a more competitive era The Council on Geostrategy (COG) on
October 27 launched a policy paper on “Enhancing British-Vietnamese
relations in a more competitive era”, outlining opportunities for the
countries across the range of sectors. Held at the House of Lords in London
with the Rt Hon Baroness Neville-Jones as the moderator, the event marked the
flourishing relations between the two countries ahead of Vietnamese Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to Glasgow, Scotland, to attend the 2021
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) from October 31 through
November 12. Based on outcomes of a research
seminar held in early October and interviews with officials and experts in
the UK, Vietnam and the US, the paper analyses the relations between Vietnam
and the UK in the context of increased international competition and
recommends how their strategic partnership can be deepened in this context. Addressing the event, COG Co-founder
and Research Director James Rogers pointed out that for the past decade, the
UK has sought to enhance relations with Vietnam and
the Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ identified in the Government’s
Integrated Review launched in March only reconfirmed Vietnam’s increasing
importance to the UK. He added that Vietnam is likely to become more
important, given that by 2026, it is projected by the IMF to become the 30th
largest economy in the world, larger than many advanced European
economies. At the event, Dr. Bill Hayton,
Associate Fellow from the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham
House, who is an author of the paper, briefed the audience on the
opportunities for the two countries, which have many shared interests, to
enhance their strategic partnership. He pointed out one of the
cooperation areas beneficial to the bilateral relationship is fighting
COVID-19, now a priority of Vietnam, which had contained the pandemic
effectively until May when the country was hard hit by the Delta variant. He
said the UK can help Vietnam in supplying vaccines and giving medical advice
and support. Dr. Hayton said climate change is
another area the two countries can work together, given Vietnam being one of
the countries worst affected by sea level rises and extreme weather with many
people living in low-lying areas. Vietnam is a sunny country with plenty of
opportunities for solar energy and the UK can help Vietnam develop renewable
energy as well as a national power grid, given Vietnam’s still limited
capacity to transmit electricity across the country. Dr. Hayton also pointed to other
shared interests where the two countries can work on to further their
relations. These include defending and reinforcing rule-based international
order in the East Sea (South China Sea); observing the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS; boosting the implementation of the
UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UVFTA); and supporting the UK to join the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
(CPTPP), to name just a few. Attending the event, Vietnam
Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long said there are a lot of opportunities
for economic cooperation between the two countries, stressing that the UK can
increase cooperation with Vietnam in such areas as offshore wind;
infrastructure, including port, airport and expressway construction;
engineering; and manufacturing. Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-UK
Network Paul Smith said the investment environment in Vietnam has been
improved largely for the past 20 years, pointing to one of the advantages in
doing business in Vietnam is that the Government is willing to talk to
investors to address their concerns, no matter what the issues are./. Vietnam makes efforts to
contribute to ASEAN-Russia partnership: PM Vietnam has been always making
efforts to contribute to the development of the strategic partnership and
mutually beneficial cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and Russia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the
4th ASEAN-Russia Summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of dialogue
relations, held virtually on October 28. PM Chinh suggested Russia continue
assisting people of ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, in the country. ASEAN and Russia should optimise
existing connection channels such as the ASEAN-Russia Business Council, the
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum,
to strengthen trade and investment ties, and help their businesses to access
each other’s markets, the PM said. He also proposed Russia step up
cooperation in such areas as energy, oil and gas and renewable energy,
towards green targets and sustainable development. PM Chinh spoke highly of Russia’s
role and active contributions to maintaining peace, security, stability,
cooperation and development in the region, and expressed his hope that Russia
will engage more actively in ASEAN-led forums, and further back the bloc’s
centrality and efforts in boosting dialogue, cooperation, trust building and
law observance, effectively responding to emerging challenges, and
maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, including
security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. At the meeting, ASEAN and Russia
agreed to closely cooperate in the COVID-19 combat, and coordinate in efforts
to distribute vaccines in a safe, effective and fair manner to regional
residents. They will enhance cooperation,
dialogue and the sharing of information regarding response to security
challenges, and contribute to regional peace, security and stability, through
such mechanisms as the ASEAN-Russia Consultation of the High Representatives
for Security Issues, and the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue on ICT Security-related
Issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin
stressed that ASEAN is Russia’s reliable strategic partner, and Russia is
willing to assist the bloc in combating COVID-19 and easing its
socio-economic impacts. Russia will continue to actively
join ASEAN-led forums, and support the association’s centrality as well as
its efforts in promoting dialogue, cooperation and trust building, he
affirmed. For regional and international
issues, the two sides emphasised the significance of maintaining peace and
stability, and ensuring security and safety in the region. They also committed to working for
common goals of abiding by international law, promoting multilateralism and
building rules-based regional and international order. At the end of the meeting, the two
sides adopted a joint declaration on building a peaceful, stable and
sustainable region, and another on cooperation in the global drug combat./. French-speaking conference
hails Vietnamese women's role Vietnamese women have affirmed their
capacity and social position, and received recognition form society, said a
Vietnamese representative at a conference on women's economic self-reliance
in Brussels. Dr. Vu Thi Minh Huong, Vice
Chairperson of UNESCO Memory of the World Committee of Asia-Pacific, noted
that the ratio of female representatives at the National Assembly of Vietnam
is 30.26 percent, while that of women leaders is 31 percent. Huong cited a series of laws applied
in Vietnam showing attention to and protection of the rights and interests of
women, including those on gender equality, marriage, and labour. The French-speaking community
currently has about 140 million women who are making great contributions to
socio-economic development in their countries. Women are the group that is
hardest hit by COVID-19, and also a strong force in fighting the pandemic./. PM urges India to continue
supporting ASEAN efforts toward East Sea stability Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on
October 28 called on India to continue supporting and actively contributing
to ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the East
Sea. Attending the 18th ASEAN - India
Summit via videoconference, the Vietnamese leader also asked for India’s
support for ASEAN endeavors to uphold international law and the 1982 UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and peacefully settle disputes and
differences through dialogue and diplomatic processes so as to ensure that
the East Sea is a sea of peace, cooperation, and development. He said ASEAN and India are
long-standing partners and close-knit neighbours who share common interests
and responsibility in contributing to regional peace, stability, and
prosperity. He urged both sides to assist each
other in COVID-19 response and sustainable recovery. He asked India to
actively help ASEAN countries develop the pharmaceutical industry, gain
sufficient and timely access to sources of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, and
transfer the vaccine and drug production technology. The PM highlighted the need for
stronger maritime cooperation to guarantee navigation security and safety,
conserve the marine environment and ecology, increase sea rescue, and combat
illegal fishing and piracy. Meanwhile, Indian PM Narendra Modi
underlined that his country treasures the strategic partnership with ASEAN,
which holds a special position in its Act East policy. India supports ASEAN’s centrality
and pledges to effectively participate in ASEAN-led cooperation and dialogue
mechanisms and uphold international law, promote a rules-based regional
order, actively contributing to peace, security, stability and development in
the region, he noted. He affirmed the support for ASEAN’s
stance on promoting dialogue and trust building, fully and effectively
implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC),
and building an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters
that is in line with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. Modi added India welcomes and
support the bloc’s role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation in Myanmar
and helping this country seek solutions to stabilise its situation. At the summit, participants highly
valued the relations between ASEAN and India, which is the sixth largest
trade partner of ASEAN and ranks seventh among investors in this bloc. The two sides agreed to continue
assisting each other in pandemic response and stepping up comprehensive
recovery through increasing bilateral trade and investment, consolidating
regional supply chains, facilitating trade and goods flows, helping
businesses access each other’s markets, and fruitfully carrying out the ASEAN
- India Free Trade Area. Concluding the event, they adopted
an ASEAN - India joint statement on cooperation in implementing the ASEAN
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for peace, stability, and prosperity in the
region./. Vietnam in Group C of 2022
AFC Women's Asian Cup Vietnam are in Group C of the 2022
AFC Women's Asian Cup following a draw held at the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC)’s headquarters in Malaysia on October 28. They are in the same group with
reigning champions Japan, the Republic of Korea and Myanmar. The tournament is scheduled to take
place from January 20 to February 6, 2022 in India. For the first time in history, the
Women's Asian Cup is expanded from eight teams to twelve. After the
group stage, top eight squads will advance to quarterfinals. The tourney will serve as the
continental qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia
and New Zealand. Australia have already qualified
automatically as the co-host. Five teams will qualify directly for the World
Cup via the knockout stage (including play-offs for fifth place) and two more
teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. The Vietnamese team is currently
placed 32nd on the FIFA ranking table./. Summit highlights ASEAN Plus
Three cooperation in building East Asia community The Chairman’s statement of the 24th
ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, held virtually on October 27, underscored the
importance of the APT in East Asia cooperation towards the long-term goal of
building an East Asia community, with ASEAN as the driving force. The summit gathered ASEAN member
states and the partner countries of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The statement acknowledged the
significance of the APT in maintaining and enhancing peace, security,
stability and development in East Asia. It reaffirmed the commitment to
strengthen dialogue and cooperation in combatting transnational crimes and
addressing non-traditional security issues. ASEAN reiterated the value of the
ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as a guide for ASEAN’s engagement in
the wider Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, and encouraged the
enhancement and promotion of APT cooperation in ASEAN priority areas
identified in the AOIP, namely maritime cooperation, connectivity,
sustainable development, economic and other areas of cooperation to further
promote mutual trust, mutual respect, and confidence as well as to contribute
to peace and prosperity in the region. The summit reaffirmed the crucial
role of APT cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and
mitigating its socio-economic impacts, acknowledged the support and
contribution of the Plus Three countries to ASEAN member states and ASEAN’s
initiatives in addressing COVID-19, and emphasised the need to strengthen APT
collaboration in advancing the region’s recovery from the adverse
socio-economic effects of the pandemic. The summit also underlined the
importance of trade and investment ties between ASEAN and the Plus Three
countries. In 2020, total trade between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries
reached 875.1 billion USD, representing 32.9 percent of ASEAN’s total trade.
Meanwhile, total foreign direct investment (FDI) flows from the Plus Three
Countries into ASEAN were valued at 22 billion USD in 2020, accounting for
16.7 percent of total FDI inflows into the bloc. In the statement, the leaders welcomed
the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in
November 2020. They noted the region’s increased reliance on the digital
economy during the pandemic and stressed the need for the region to identify
challenges and opportunities as the region’s economies prepare themselves for
the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and to harness the
latter as a tool to foster APT’s economic recovery, They reaffirmed their commitment to
implementing the priority areas of APT health cooperation while stressing the
importance of cultural exchanges and people-to-people links to heighten
awareness and foster intercultural understanding and ASEAN identity in the
region. Participants also reiterated the
commitment to advance cooperation in promoting sustainable, inclusive and
innovative development. They showed support for ASEAN’s efforts to narrow the
development gap and promote sustainable and equitable development across the
ASEAN Community./. Mekong Institute receives
ASEAN Prize 2021 ASEAN announced the awarding
of ASEAN Prize 2021 to Mekong Institute at the 38th and 39th ASEAN
Summits, for its contributions in promoting ASEAN awareness and strengthening
regional cooperation towards sustainable development. The role of ASEAN Prize in promoting
public awareness on the core values and principles of ASEAN based on
the ASEAN Charter was recognised by the ASEAN Leaders at the 38th
and 39th ASEAN Summit. In the Chairman’s Statement, the
Leaders congratulated the Mekong Institute as recipient of the
ASEAN Prize 2021, recognising its work in promoting a prosperous and
harmonious sub-regional development, and contribution to a wider regional
cooperation and integration, particularly in agricultural development and
commercialisation. In his congratulatory remarks,
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi acknowledged the Mekong
Institute’s aspiration in fostering sustainable development and how they have
created a pivotal strength and driving force for regional economic growth. The institute’s key role in
community development and capacity building, publication as well as research
and training programmes have helped bridge the gap in the region,
accelerating equitable growth towards an inclusive, cohesive and
prosperous ASEAN Community, he said. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Mekong
Institute Executive Director, stated that the Prize was received with great
honour on behalf of those who have tirelessly advanced GMS development and
cooperation for a stronger ASEAN. He added that the recognition
strengthens Mekong Institute’s resolve to work even harder in empowering
people, bridging partnerships, and advocating positive change, particularly
during these uncertain times. The ASEAN Prize is an annual
regional premier award, administered by the ASEAN Secretariat, honouring
individuals or organisations based in ASEAN that have demonstrated
outstanding work with significant contribution to community building
efforts. The recipient will receive a trophy
and a cash prize of 20,000 USD sponsored by Temasek Foundation of Singapore
and Yayasan Hasanah of Malaysia./. Female boxer ranks fourth in
world’s mini-flyweight ranking Female boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi
moved up by one spot to the fourth place in the world’s mini-flyweight
ranking, according to the latest ranking by boxing's official record keeper
BoxRec. With a cumulative point of 15.32,
Nhi is among four boxers earning 3.5-star level in this weight class. She made history for becoming
Vietnam's first World Boxing Organisation champion after winning a WBO belt on
October 23 in Ansan, the Republic of Korea. The Vietnamese boxer took the title
on a split decision with two judges scoring Nhi at 96 points, two more than
her Japanese rival Etsuko Tada after 10 rounds of the women's mini-flyweight
title fight. Nhi’s triumph also broke the
dominance of Japanese boxers' mini-flyweight class in seven years./. Vietnam’s integration,
development spotlighted at int’l conference The 6th international conference on
Vietnamese studies opened in Hanoi on October 28, focusing on the country’s
proactive integration and sustainable development. In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof.
and Dr Bui Nhat Quang, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences,
said the international conference is the most important event of researchers
on Vietnamese studies around the world and a scientific forum gathering the
most valuable findings about the country and its people. He noted this time’s workshop has
attracted great attention from both domestic and international scholars,
which is a persuasive demonstration of the country’s growing stature in the
world, as well as of the Vietnamese studies’ increasingly strong and positive
influence on the nation’s integration and development process, both at
present and in the future. Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime
Minister Vu Duc Dam said the political report at the 13th National Party
Congress, held at the beginning of 2021, affirmed the viewpoint of taking
people as the centre, target, and impulse of development; inspiring the
aspiration for developing a prosperous and happy nation; and bringing into
play the country’s role as an active and responsible member of the
international community, thus helping make and keep peace and boost
cooperation for development in the region and the world. He held that scientists, including
those working on Vietnamese studies, need to continue studying to seek ways
for tapping into the country’s values and potential so that it can develop
faster and more sustainably. The conference received 730 reports
related to various areas, from history, economy and politics, to
international relations, by domestic and foreign scholars, experts, and
scientists. It is scheduled to last through
October 29./. Vietnamese badminton players
to compete at 2021 BWF World Championships Vietnamese top badminton
players Nguyen Tien Minh, Vu Thi Trang and Nguyen Thuy
Linh will compete at the 2021 BWF World Championships in Spain slated
for this December. Minh, the highest ranked badminton
player of Vietnam and former world's number 4, earned a bronze medal at the
world tournament in 2013 and another bronze at the Asian Championships two
years ago. At the age of 38, he clinched a
berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games held this July. Trang is also a veteran player of
Vietnam as she competed at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil and was a bronze
medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. This year, in her first Olympic
appearance, Linh won two matches and was only defeated by No.1 player Tai
Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei. General Secretary of the Vietnam
Badminton Federation Le Thanh Ha said the upcoming competition will offer a
valuable chance for Vietnamese players to sharpen their skills at
international arena, after they have hardly competed at any tournaments in
the recent past due to COVID-19./. India implements quick impact
projects in eight more Vietnamese localities The Indian Embassy in Vietnam on
October 27 signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation in implementing
the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) with the People’s Committees of Hai Phong
city, and Ha Tinh, Khanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri and
Tuyen Quang provinces. Addressing the virtual signing
ceremony, Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma acknowledged the success of QIPs in
Vietnam, affirming their usefulness in bringing about rapid changes at the
grassroots level. The diplomat said that cooperation
between his embassy and local authorities in the on-time implementation of
these projects demonstrates the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership between India and Vietnam, and contributes to Vietnam’s joint
efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Vice Chairman of the People’s
Committee of Quang Binh province Ho An Phong thanked the Indian Government
and embassy for carrying out QIPs in Vietnam. He appreciated the benefits brought
about by sub-projects to remote and disadvantageous areas in Vietnam,
especially in basic education infrastructure, roads, irrigation and water
supply, thus contributing to local authorities’ socio-economic development efforts. Earlier, the Indian Embassy signed
memoranda of two understanding on the implementation of QIPs in Yen Bai and
Lao Cai provinces. With the 10 new projects, India has
to date conducted 37 QIPs in 33 provinces and cities, with each worth 50,000
USD./. PM attends 16th East Asia
Summit Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on
October 27 evening attended the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS), which gathered
leaders of 10 ASEAN member states and their partners, including China, Japan,
the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the US, and
the ASEAN Secretary General. He stressed the need for EAS
countries to continue enhancing their strategic role in promoting transparent
behaviour and frank dialogue, building trust, harmonising differences and increasing
the sharing of responsibility in order to contribute to maintaining a peace
and stable environment, and win-win cooperation in the region and the world. He suggested countries join hands in
managing changes in an appropriate and effective way; promote multilateral
cooperation, policy harmonisation, and action coordination to effectively
respond to emerging challenges, prevent the risk of instability and boost
sustainable socio-economic development and recovery, especially after the
pandemic. He also proposed EAS partners step
up cooperation to improve health capacity, facilitate full and timely access
to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment drugs, build a mechanism to share
information and experience, and improve early warning capacity. He affirmed
his support for international commitments on health measures to combat the
global pandemic. The Vietnamese Government leader
called on ASEAN and its partners to cooperate in increasing opportunities to
access to each other’s markets; boosting exports, digital and green
technology transfer, and high-quality human resources training; promoting
equitable, sustainable and inclusive recovery in the region in association
with climate change adaptation, green development, digital transformation,
circular economy and inclusive economy. He also called on the countries to
uphold the sense of responsibility and behave in accordance with their
commitments; respect each other; promote multilateral cooperation and respect
for the rule of law; maintain healthy international relations; avoid
affecting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region; and
ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East
Sea. The nations should exercise
self-restraint, avoid unilateral actions that may complicate the situation,
and resolve disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and based on
international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), Chinh stressed, calling for efforts to fully implement the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), promote
negotiations to build an efficient, effective and substantive Code of Conduct
in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the UNCLOS
1982, according to the PM. At the summit, the leaders applauded
the outcomes achieved during the implementation of the Manila Plan of Action
2018 - 2022, ordered coordination to build a new action plan for the next
period that matches the situation, and pledged to prioritise efforts in
response to the pandemic and towards green and sustainable development. They stressed that the EAS should
remain the leading ASEAN-led forum and a platform for leaders to discuss
strategic issues of the region. They agreed to foster multilateral,
regional, and international cooperation in resolving emerging challenges,
effectively responding to COVID-19, maintaining and promoting economic
connectivity and trade - investment links, and restoring and stabilising
regional and global supply chains towards comprehensive and sustainable
recovery. Participants shared the view that
the EAS should make effective contributions to efforts in guaranteeing
regional peace, security, and stability. The countries emphasised the
importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation
and overflight in the East Sea and building the waters into a sea of peace,
friendship, and cooperation. They underlined the need for self-restraint from
acts that may escalate tensions or complicate the situation; for no
militarisation, use, or threat to use force; and for peaceful settlement of
disputes on the basis of international law, including the UNCLOS 1982. They called on ASEAN and China to
fully and effectively implement the DOC, while building an efficient and
effective COC that is in line with international law, including the 1982
UNCLOS. Concluding the summit, the
participating leaders adopted the EAS statements on mental health
cooperation, sustainable recovery, and economic growth through tourism
recovery./. NA Chairman extends congratulations
on national days of Czech Republic, Turkey Chairman of the National Assembly
Vuong Dinh Hue on October 28 sent a message of
congratulations to President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milos
Vystrcil on the occasion of the 103rd Independent Czechoslovak State Day
(October 28). In his message, Hue noted with his
satisfaction that the sound traditional friendship and cooperation between
Vietnam and the Czech Republic and the two countries’ legislative
bodies are growing. He believed that with sentiments and
support of Vystrcil, the relations between the countries and legislative
bodies will continue to be strengthened and strongly developed. Vietnam and the Czech Republic set
up diplomatic ties on February 2, 1950. The same day, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh
Hue sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly Mustafa Sentop on the 98th Republic Day of Turkey (October 29). Hue spoke highly of important
achievements of Turkey in national construction and development. Hue said he belives that with both
sides’ efforts, the Vietnam-Turkey traditional friendship will be
consolidated for the benefits of the two nations, for peace and development
in the region and the world. The two countries established
diplomatic relations in 1978./. Source:
VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan |
