Vietnam promotes responsible contribution to global affairs

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s attendance at the G20 Summit demonstrates Vietnam's constructive and responsible contribution to global issues.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: MOFA)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: MOFA)

>>> PM to attend online G20 Summit

At the invitation of King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the G20 Summit to be held online from November 21-22. This is an important multilateral diplomatic activity of Vietnam this year, while the country assumes role as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member seat of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

Founded in 1999, shortly after the financial-economic crisis in Asia, the G20 has promoted discussion on global governance and economic issues, as well as enhancing coordination among developed countries and emerging economies. The first G20 Summit was held in 2008, in which a joint statement was issued, affirming the highest political commitment to coordinating action in response to economic crises.

Vietnam was first invited to attend the G20 Summits in Canada and the Republic of Korea in 2010, as ASEAN Chair. As the host of the APEC Year 2017, Vietnam was again invited to attend the G20 Summit and related activities hosted by Germany. In 2019, Japan invited Vietnam to attend the G20 Summit as a guest. These were opportunities for Vietnam to deliver important messages and promote dialogue among ASEAN, APEC and the G20 on global development and economic issues.

The G20 Summit in 2020 takes place amid the world facing a range of difficulties. The global economy is in recession, with the prospect of recovering uncertain, uneven and potentially risky. Strategic competition among major powers has intensified fiercely, while reform of global economic governance has not progressed much. Meanwhile, non-traditional security issues, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, are progressing complicatedly and laying negative impacts on the socio-economic development of many countries, as well as the implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) realisation.

With the theme "Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century For All", this year’s G20 Summit prioritises the goal of coordinating global policy in the response to the COVID-19 epidemic, promoting economic recovery, strengthening the multilateral trading system and fighting against the protectionism trend. G20 leaders discuss a wide range of issues, including resource mobilisation and collaborative research; production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines; capacity building to respond to future pandemic threats; ensuring an open, transparent and inclusive trade and investment environment; maintaining global supply chains and promoting reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); affirming the role of connection and digital technology in digital economic development; promoting the completion of the SDGs on time; efficient use of energy; sustainable management of water resources; and ensuring food security.

As ASEAN Chair, Vietnam is attending this G20 Summit to show the support and active cooperation of ASEAN and Vietnam towards the G20 and the international community in the efforts to prevent and control COVID-19, as well as in issues related to global development and governance. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and G20 leaders attend the relevant sessions to discuss a wide range of topics, including fighting against the pandemic, reviving economic growth and employment, and building a sustainable, inclusive and highly resilient future.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance at the G20 Summit conveys the message of Vietnam's positive results in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery, transferring the image of an active, adaptive, open and developing Vietnam that has actively contributed to the common issues of the international community. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's important external activities continue to affirm Vietnam's foreign policy for peace, cooperation and development amid proactive integration into the world, while promoting and elevating multilateral foreign relations, thus contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s international role and position.

May Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s attendance at the G20 Summit be a great success, affirming that ASEAN and Vietnam are trustworthy and responsible members of the international community, with effective contribution to global economic issues, development and governance.

NHAN DAN