NDO - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation have concluded their trip to attend the COP26 Conference, the working trip to the UK and the official visit to France. The Prime Minister’s trip conveys a strong message about a renewing, proactive, active and responsible Vietnam, willing to join hands with the international community to address global challenges. The trip also contributes to further deepening the relationship between Vietnam and its strategic partners.
FOR A SUSTAINABLE HABITAT
AND LASTING HAPPINESS
FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION
COP26, a major international event gathering many senior leaders of countries and international organisations was expected to open a new page in the global efforts against climate change. This conference received particular interest of the international community as climate change is becoming more complicated and unpredictable with serious impacts on a global scale, requiring all countries to take urgent and bold action to realise the goal of keeping global temperature rise at a maximum of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century as set out in the Paris Agreement.
As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Vietnam has always been proactive and active in responding to climate change and implementing the relevant international commitments. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at COP26 was also an opportunity for the international community to better understand Vietnam’s policies and efforts, as well as its difficulties and challenges in dealing with climate change.
In a speech on the first day of the COP26 Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the negative impacts of climate change are seriously affecting food and water security, the sustainable development, and even the survival of many countries and communities, requiring the international community to act more boldly, responsibly and promptly on a global scale.
As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Vietnam is making every effort to both respond to climate change and foster economic development to grow and ensure an ever-better life for its people, while contributing responsibly alongside the international community. We look forward to advancing cooperation with international partners through investment programmes and projects, and sustainable development
The Prime Minister stated that all countries need to make strong commitments on greenhouse emission reduction, grounded in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capacities and circumstances. He also affirmed that Vietnam will capitalise on its advantage in renewable energy and take stronger measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission by making use of its own domestic resources, along with the cooperation and support of the international community, especially from the developed countries, in terms of finance and technology, including through mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
If we are to succeed in the global fight against climate change, global solidarity is the only way. Together we will discuss, work, and win. Our unity must stem from our will, awareness, and solutions, and endure as we make and execute plans, and ensure resources. Our historic commitments and actions will help preserve a green planet, a sustainable habitat, and lasting happiness for generations to come.
Many international friends and partners have spoken highly of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s speech and affirmed their willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in implementing measures to promote green growth, the circular economy and support for vulnerable communities so as to enhance resilience and adaptation to extreme and abnormal weather events induced by climate change.
On the sidelines of COP26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with leaders of major global economic groups such as: Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, leader of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). At the meetings, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Government and agencies of Vietnam will continue to create favourable conditions for foreign investors to invest and do business effectively and successfully, sustainably and long-term in Vietnam, in the spirit of " the harmony of interests and the sharing of risks.".
The Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam also had a series of meetings with the leaders of countries, international organisations and important partners to deepen relations with other countries, especially in the fields of health and pharmaceutical industry, in the context that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to threaten the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed Vietnam's participation in climate change action initiatives, making joint contributions to the fight against global climate change. Meanwhile, Chairman and CEO of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Carlos Manuel Rodriguez highly valued Vietnam's strong and timely commitments at COP26 which demonstrated its responsibility to join hands with the international community to respond to climate change and protect the environment.
OPPORTUNITY FOR
VIETNAM-UK COOPERATION
On the basis of the political relationship of mutual trust, over the years, the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership have, in the recent past, developed strongly and positively.
Some activities of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the UK. (Photo: VGP/VNA)
Some activities of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the UK. (Photo: VGP/VNA)
Within the framework of attending the official reception for leaders of countries present at the COP26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met his counterpart UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and leaders of numerous other countries. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of other countries expressed satisfaction about the bilateral cooperation relationship.
Expressing concerns about climate change in Vietnam, especially in the Mekong River region, the leaders of the countries pledged to continue supporting Vietnam and other countries in the Mekong River basin to solve problems of landslides, saltwater intrusion, farming conversion, and sustainable use of water sources to ensure food security and sustainable development.
Leaders of other countries assessed Vietnam's commitment to strengthen investors' confidence, and expressed their willingness to support Vietnam in its transition to a green, circular economy, developing renewable energy that Vietnam has great potential, through soliciting, attracting investment, mobilising climate finance, building capacity and transferring technology. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of countries expressed their willingness to continue supporting and helping Vietnam with vaccines and medical equipment in the coming time.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George. In a friendly meeting atmosphere, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George expressed their delight at the positive developments of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, as well as the good relationship between the Vietnamese Government and the British Royal Family since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam, despite going through wars and facing many economic difficulties, still has a high political commitment and determination to mobilise the overall strength of both the state and the private sector to reduce carbon emissions towards the net zero, transition to a green, circular economy, contribute to the common effort to protect the Earth; proposing the UK to cooperate and support Vietnam to promote its role as a public-private partnership, institution, finance, technology, and to train human resources for Vietnam in the implementation of programmes, projects on transition to a low-carbon economy, to realize the aforementioned goal.
Prince Charles highly appreciated and thanked the active participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation at COP26 in particular and for the global effort to respond to climate change in general. Prince Charles affirmed that socio-economic development needs to be in harmony with nature; and said that Vietnam and the UK share this view. He expressed his wish to promote Vietnam-UK cooperation in projects of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, to develop a green, circular, sustainable and low-carbon economy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George on the side-lines of the COP26 Conference, on the afternoon of November 2, 2021 (local time). (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George on the side-lines of the COP26 Conference, on the afternoon of November 2, 2021 (local time). (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George on the side-lines of the COP26 Conference, on the afternoon of November 2, 2021 (local time). (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Britain's Prince Charles Philip Arthur George on the side-lines of the COP26 Conference, on the afternoon of November 2, 2021 (local time). (Photo: VNA)
One of the important successes during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to the UK was the strong promotion of economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the UK.
During his meetings with businesses in the host country, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that Vietnam has a stable political environment, with a foreign policy of self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation, and being a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community. Vietnam is integrating intensively and extensively into the world, he said, adding that Vietnam has consistent policies towards investors. In addition, the country holds advantages in terms of human resources, natural conditions, social settings and sustainable development policy.
The Vietnamese Government leader emphasised that the people of Vietnam always exert effort to rise above difficulties and challenges, which is not only a good tradition of the country but also the motto of the Vietnamese business community. Leaders of top UK corporations highly appreciate the business environment in Vietnam as well as the potential and advantages of the Vietnamese market.
The working trip of the Prime Minister and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam reaped many significant results. Accordingly, a record number of cooperation agreements and memorandums were inked between ministries, sectors and businesses of Vietnam and the UK in a wide range of fields from trade, agriculture, energy, health, education and training, to environmental protection, and sports. The signing of the agreements with the total value amounting to billions of US dollars in various fields, demonstrated that the cooperation between Vietnam and the UK has been strongly developed.
Health cooperation was a highlight among outcomes for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working trip to the UK. AstraZeneca and Vietnamese partners have reached landmark agreements to help develop the biopharmaceutical industry in the country and support its pandemic prevention and control efforts.
The company will invest US$90 million to support Vietnam to improve its pharmaceutical production capacity. In addition, AstraZeneca and the Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) also signed an agreement on supply of an additional quantity of AstraZeneca's AZD7442 long-acting antibody combination to prevent COVID-19.
While witnessing the signing of cooperation deals between AstraZeneca and Vietnamese partners, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked AstraZeneca for its timely supply of vaccines to Vietnam over the past year, thereby making an important contribution to protecting people’s health. He expressed his hope that AstraZeneca will support Vietnam in training human resources in medicine and pharmaceuticals, production of vaccine and medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and cancer. He also believed that the bilateral cooperation will continue to thrive in the future.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at a meeting with the Vietnamese community in the UK (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at a meeting with the Vietnamese community in the UK (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at a meeting with the Vietnamese community in the UK, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the strong Vietnamese community in the UK has helped foster the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the UK. The Government leader hailed the Vietnamese community in the UK for promoting solidarity as well as integrating into the host country’s society despite impacts of COVID-19. He said he hopes overseas Vietnamese in the UK will strengthen their solidarity to overcome difficulties, while promoting the image of the nation and people of Vietnam to citizens of the host country, and make further contributions to the development of the homeland.
LIFTING VIETNAM – FRANCE RELATIONS
INTO NEW HEIGHTS
Throughout historical ups and downs, the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France have been developing constantly in multiple fields. The two countries have lifted bilateral relations to strategic partnerships which has gained positive outcomes in all fields.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France took place at a time when the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023.
Commenting on PM Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the French Republic, Senator Catherine Deroche, President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group of the Senate of France, lauded the dynamic relationship between the two countries that has increasingly been consolidated. Senator Catherine Deroche assessed that PM Chinh’s official visit to France paved the way for the resumption of high-level visits between the two countries after a period of stagnation due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Jean Castex, National Assembly President Richard Ferrand and other high-ranking French officials warmly welcomed PM Pham Minh Chinh and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam during his first trip to Europe as Vietnamese PM. The visit was even more meaningful when the two countries’ senior leaders had the opportunity to meet face-to-face after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. During the meetings between PM Chinh and French leaders, warm feelings and determination to bring the bilateral relations closer were clearly demonstrated.
After nearly half a century of construction and cultivation, the bilateral cooperation has achieved positive results. However, there is still plenty of room for the bilateral ties. President Emmanuel Macron and PM Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that the two countries need to further strengthen the pillars of economic, trade and investment cooperation in the Vietnam - France strategic partnership. In particular, President Macron said that France is ready to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the development of the sustainable fishing industry and promised to urge the European Commission to soon remove the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese fisheries.
During the meeting with French Prime Minister Jean Castex, the two PMs discussed directions as well as measures for cooperation in the coming time in order to bring the two countries’ relations to more practical results as well as promote cooperation between the two countries in a more substantive and effective manner.
In the context of the raging epidemic, which has seriously affected the global socio-economic life, the solidarity of the two countries has been demonstrated, becoming a great motivation to help France and Vietnam overcome difficult times due to the pandemic. During the meetings with French leaders, PM Chinh thanked the French Government and people for their valuable support in vaccines and medical equipment for Vietnam. The French side also expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Vietnam for their noble deeds, timely support of medical masks for the French people during the peak period of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020.
High-level talks between Vietnam and France. (Photo: VNA)
High-level talks between Vietnam and France. (Photo: VNA)
During the meeting with PM Pham Minh Chinh, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said that France will support Vietnam with an additional 970,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX Facility and 400,000 doses of vaccine through bilateral channels, bringing the total number of vaccines donated to Vietnam to more than 2 million doses. These numbers are a clear demonstration of the friendly relationship, fine cooperation, solidarity and willingness to share difficulties that the two countries have for each other.
Enhancing bilateral economic cooperation is one of the important highlights of PM Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to France. During the busy schedule of his trip, the PM took time to meet and work with leaders of top French organisations and businesses to discuss in an open and frank manner about investment and business opportunities in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government leader suggested French businesses implement cooperation and investment activities in Vietnam and comment on policies with the Vietnamese Government in the win-win spirit, especially in line with the trend of sustainable development, emission reduction, green transformation, and digital transformation. Leaders of French businesses expressed their satisfaction and confidence in the policies and the potential for cooperation with Vietnam and affirmed their commitments and desire for the long-term investment in Vietnam.
PM Pham Minh Chinh also attended and spoke at the Vietnam-France Business Forum and witnessed the award ceremony for dozens of cooperation agreements between Vietnamese ministries, branches, organisations and businesses with partners from the Republic of France and several European countries. The Vietnamese PM expressed his pleasure at the good relationship in cooperation between businesses and Governments of the two countries.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh believed with time-honoured cooperation and strategic trust; in the spirit of advocating for peace, development, harmonised benefits, and shared risks, the people and businesses of the two countries will unite and cooperate in an effective and practical manner, contributing to further fostering and developing Vietnam-France relations.
Production manager: NGOC THANH, BICH HANH
Content: MINH HANG, NGUYEN HA
Translation: NDO
Design: PHAN ANH, DUY LONG, TRAN VU HAI
Photos: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, REUTERS, GOV.UK, VNA, COLLABORATORS…
Built with Shorthand