Actively contributing to addressing common challenges and promoting regional economic recovery

At the invitation of President and Chief Executive Officer of Japan’s Nikkei Inc. Tsuyoshi Hasebe, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is attending the 26th International Conference on The Future of Asia, organised in the form of video conference by Nikkei, from May 20 to 21.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attending and delivering a keynote speech at the 26th International Conference on The Future of Asia has affirmed Vietnam’s increasing role and position in multilateral forums. (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attending and delivering a keynote speech at the 26th International Conference on The Future of Asia has affirmed Vietnam’s increasing role and position in multilateral forums. (Photo: VNA)

This is an important multilateral diplomatic activity, affirming Vietnam’s active and responsible contributions to the common affairs, especially in coping with challenges and promoting recovery and sustainable development in the region.

Initiated in 1995 and held annually since then, the International Conference on the Future of Asia is one of the most prestigious multilateral forums in Asia, attracting the attention and participation of leaders, politicians, scholars and enterprises from Asian countries, as well as representatives from major economic groups worldwide. The conference discusses regional issues, the role and potential of Asia, and solutions to enhancing the position of the region. As an active and responsible member of the international and regional community, Vietnam highly appreciates the importance of the conference and has regularly attended and contributed ideas at the high level to many of its topics.

Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic ties on September 21, 1973. Japan was the first Group of Seven (G7) country to set up a strategic partnership with Vietnam (2009), to recognise Vietnam’s market economy status (2011), and to invite Vietnam to attend an expanded G7 summit (2016). Relations between Vietnam and Japan have been constantly growing, especially since the two countries established an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia (2014). The bilateral relationship is said to be currently in its best stage, with a high level of trust and regular visits and contacts maintained by their senior leaders at international and regional forums. Vietnam-Japan economic cooperation has grown positively. Japan is a leading economic partner of Vietnam, and also the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider, the second largest foreign investor, the third largest tourism partner, and the fourth largest trading partner of the Southeast Asian country.

In recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a profound impact globally, affecting Vietnam-Japan relations, with many foreign affairs and cooperation events between the two countries having been cancelled or postponed. However, both sides have still maintained high-level and all-level exchanges in various forms, while supporting each other in the pandemic prevention and control. Vietnam has donated medical face masks to Japan, and Japan has provided medical equipment and supplies to assist Vietnam’s COVID-19 relief efforts, through bilateral mechanisms and international organisations.

With the theme “Shaping the post-COVID era: Asia’s role in the global recovery”, the 26th International Conference on The Future of Asia is focused on discussing some outstanding topics such as cooperation in pandemic response, connecting regional economies, sustainable development, innovation and creativity, and Asia’s role in the post-pandemic global economic recovery. Within its two online working days, the conference features panel discussions including “Reconnecting the region through cultural exchange”, “Asia and the new US administration”, “Sustainable growth and transformation in Asia”, and “New frontiers for innovation in the COVID-19 era”.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will give an important speech at this year’s conference, highlighting Vietnam’s views on Asia’s major issues and sharing experiences and solutions to cope with common challenges in the region, especially the efforts to curb COVID-19 and promote post-pandemic economic recovery. PM Chinh’s participation continues to show Vietnam’s appreciation for the conference, while affirming the country’s role and position in multilateral forums.

It also demonstrates that Vietnam and Japan constantly strengthen political trust, as well as attaching importance to enhancing their extensive strategic partnership and promoting bilateral cooperation across various fields. This is also an opportunity to advertise Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, introduce new policies and development goals for the country, and attract interest and investment from Japanese and global businesses.

PM Chinh’s attending and delivering a keynote speech at the conference is a further step in the implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the spirit of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, affirming that Vietnam proactively and actively promotes deep international integration and elevates multilateral diplomacy, while responsibly and effectively participating in and contributing to peace and development in Asia and around the world.