Prime Minister attends COP26
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow, the UK on October 31.
The PM delivered his remarks at the COP26 on November 1under which he called on countries to make strong commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions on the basis of common responsibility that suit their conditions and capacity, adding that there should be fairness and justice in climate change issues.
The PM said Vietnam is making great efforts to respond to climate change, develop its economy, ensure a better life for all people, and make responsible contributions to the international community. Vietnam wants to strengthen cooperation with the international community in sustainable investment and development programmes and projects in the time to come, he stated.
The leader also had bilateral meetings with leaders of many countries, international organisations and funds, and others on the sidelines of the event.
Prime Minister visits UK and France
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: VNA)
At the invitation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh left Hanoi for the COP26 climate change conference and a working visit to the UK from October 31-November 3. The Vietnamese leader also paid an official visit to France from November 3-5 at the invitation of French Prime Minister of Jean Castex.
The Vietnamese PM and leaders of the UK and France pledged to soon promote high-level visits, soon resume cooperation mechanisms between ministries and localities as well as trade and travel between the two countries.
PM Chinh’s visits also obtained impressive results in trade and investment promotion activities with the signing of nearly 60 Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation with a total pledged investment of over US$30 billion.
Business forums held in the UK and France attracted the participation of nearly 450 big European companies. Leaders of these companies expressed their joy with the PM’s message that Vietnam has moved into a phase of safe and flexible adaptation, effective control of COVID-19, accompanying and creating favorable conditions so that companies can feel confident about investing and doing long-term business in the country
Health cooperation and vaccine diplomacy, the mobilisation of partners to support Vietnam in pandemic control are at the centre of the PM’s visits.
France announced an additional aid of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine through the bilateral channel and the COVAX Facility, bringing its total donation to over 2 million doses, while the UK said it will help Vietnam to improve its medical capacity, technology transfer for the production of COVID-19 vaccine.
Vietnam Buddhist Sangha marks 40th founding anniversary
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his belief that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) will carry forward its role and prestige in strengthening the great national unity bloc while addressing a ceremony marking the VBS's 40th founding anniversary on November 7.
The President highlighted contributions of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers to the struggle for national liberation, construction and defence, as well as present patriotic emulation movements, including those on poverty reduction, new-style rural area building, environmental protection and COVID-19 prevention and control, among others.
The President stressed that the Party and State have consistently implemented a policy on respecting and ensuring people's right to freedom of belief and religion, right to freedom of non-belief and religion, and guaranteeing that religious activities are practiced in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the Party and the State, President Phuc presented a first-class Independence Order to the VBS.
Germany becomes biggest market for Vietnamese coffee
Vietnam shipped 1.18 million tonnes of coffee overseas for US$2.23 billion (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)
Coffee exports in the first nine months of this year decreased in volume but increased in turnover, with Germany being the largest market for the product.
According to the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Centre, Vietnam shipped 1.18 million tonnes of coffee overseas for US$2.23 billion, down 5.4% in quantity but up 3.4% in turnover and 9.2% in price annually.
The US came as the second biggest market of Vietnamese coffee between January and September, spending US$189.42 million on 96,472 tonnes, dropping by 13.9% and 5% year-on-year.
Agro-forestry-fisheries exports rise 13% in 10 months
Vietnam enjoyed a year-on-year rise of 13.1% in the export revenue of agro-forestry-fisheries products in the first 10 months of 2021 to nearly US$38.75 billion, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
In the period, Asia remained the largest market of Vietnam's agro-forestry-fisheries products with 42.8% of the market share, followed by America with 30%, Europe 11.4%, Africa 1.9% and Oceania 1.5%.
The US was the biggest consumer of the products with consumption worth over US$10.8 billion. It was followed by China with nearly US$7.5 billion, and Japan with over US$2.6 billion.
At the same time, imports of agro-forestry-fisheries in 10 months were about US$35.55 billion, up 39.1% year on year.
Hanoi’s first metro line starts commercial service
A train of Hanoi Metro's Line 2A
Hanoi’s first metro line, Line 2A, has started commercial service after the project was handed over from the Ministry of Transport to the capital city on November 6.
The 13-kilometre line runs on elevated tracks through 12 stations from Cat Linh Station in Dong Da District to Yen Nghia Station in Ha Dong District.
Construction of the line, which costs US$868 million, began in 2011 and was scheduled for completion in 2017 but it has been delayed multiple times.
Passengers can use the line free of charge during the first 15 days of commercial service. After that, the fares will start at VND7,000 (US$0.31) for the shortest distance while the maximum cost will be VND15,000 (US$0.65) for the entire line.
Establishment of Vietnamese Innovation Network in Europe announced
The establishment of the Vietnamese Innovation Network in Europe (VINEU) was announced at a ceremony held in Paris on November 4.
Co-organised by the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnamese Embassy in France, the event took place both in person and via videoconference to acknowledge the operation of the non-profit organisation, which was set up in Berlin, Germany, on October 16.
As the fifth sub-network of the Vietnamese Innovation Network (VIN), which has to date grouped more than 1,000 members in 20 nations, VINEU works to connect Vietnamese intellectuals and experts in promoting innovation activities between Vietnam and European nations.
Vietnam beat Myanmar 1-0 to qualify for U23 Asian Cup 2022 Finals
Ho Thanh Minh (third from right) celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring for Vietnam U23s. (Photo: Vnexpress)
Substitute Ho Thanh Minh scored a solitary goal after halftime as Vietnam edged out Myanmar 1-0 on November 2 to make it through to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 as the Group I winners.
Vietnam, having defeated Chinese Taipei 1-0 in their opening match, headed into the top-spot decider with strong determination knowing that a draw would be enough to secure them a slot in next year’s Finals.
The second consecutive win put Vietnam on top of Group I with six points, which means they will play in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Finals for the fourth time in a row.
