The 113th session of the ILC is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, gathering heads of state and government leaders, as well as representatives from governments, workers, and employers from 187 ILO member countries.
The Vietnamese Government delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Manh Khuong, who attended the plenary session of the general assembly.
At the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Khuong highlighted Viet Nam’s socio-economic development achievements after nearly four decades of Doi Moi (Renewal).
He noted that Viet Nam has successfully transitioned from an underdeveloped country to a developing one with middle-income status and a relatively high economic growth rate. Viet Nam is now among the world’s 40 largest economies, ranks among the top 20 global trading nations, and stands at 93rd out of 193 countries and territories on the Human Development Index (HDI), belonging to the group of developing countries with high HDI scores.
Throughout its economic growth, Viet Nam has consistently prioritised social progress and equity while placing people at the centre, as the subject, the most important resource, and the ultimate goal of development.
The Vietnamese Government has outlined a development strategy toward 2030, emphasising rapid, sustainable, and inclusive growth based primarily on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. It aims for a balanced development among the economy, culture, society, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation; values effective social development management; and promotes democratic expansion alongside strong discipline and order. This comes in the context of fast-paced global changes, including scientific and technological breakthroughs, demographic shifts, climate change, and deepening globalisation.
Deputy Minister Khuong reaffirmed Viet Nam’s commitment to the universal values shared by the ILO. He stated that Viet Nam will continue to reform and improve its legal framework to address challenges in the future of work and supports the ILO in adopting new instruments on biological hazards in the workplace, decent work in the digital economy, and innovative approaches to addressing informal employment and promoting the transition from the informal to the formal economy.
On the occasion, Deputy Minister Khuong also expressed his hope that the ILO will continue to support Viet Nam’s efforts to ensure decent work for all amid growing volatility in the global labour market.
This year’s ILC featured discussions among member countries on key issues related to the future of work. Topics included new instruments on biological hazards at work, decent work in the digital economy, and innovative approaches to promoting the transition of the informal economy into the formal sector.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation held working sessions with the ILO and several bilateral partners.
During a courtesy meeting with Maria Susanna Seppo, Assistant Director-General of the ILO, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Khuong appreciated the ILO’s long-standing cooperation and support for Viet Nam. He shared about the recent progress made by Viet Nam in improving its labour legislation, social insurance system, and wage and employment policies.
He also expressed the hope that the ILO would continue assisting Viet Nam in transforming its economy and advancing job creation, particularly by developing the labour market, better matching labour supply and demand, and promoting green and sustainable employment.
