Day: October 21, 2022

 

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres arrived in Hanoi, beginning an official visit to Vietnam from October 21-22 at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

 

This is an important visit of the head of the world’s largest multilateral organization, which, as affirmed by the UN Secretary-General ahead of the trip, demonstrates the importance the UN attaches to its partnership with Vietnam over the past 45 years, and that Vietnam is an indispensable member of the UN, which has been significantly contributing to UN efforts in addressing global challenges, for peace and development in the world.

 

The visit takes place after Vietnam excellently performed its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure and was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

 

The UN head is accompanied during the visit by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP); Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary General for Climate Change ; and Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, among others.

 

During the visit, Guterres is scheduled to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, hold talks with President Phuc, and have meetings with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

 

He and President Phuc will co-chair a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership of the UN and some other activities./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The north will experience another rainy, cold, and cloudy day on October 21 as a new cold spell arrived, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

 

The highest temperatures in the region are expected to range from 21 – 24 degrees Celsius.

 

Also on the day, the Gulf of Tonkin, the waters off central provinces of Quang Tri to Thua Thien – Hue, including Con Co island, and the northern waters of the North East Sea area will see strong wind, rough sea, and high waves.

 

From the night of October 21, the wind will weaken at sea.

 

New cold spell brings rain to northern region hinh anh 2

 

Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)

 

Meanwhile, the Central Highlands and southern regions will see showers and thunderstorms in the evening and at night with a possibility of whirlwind, lightning, and strong wind./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Ho Chi Minh City wishes to strengthen cooperation with the French-speaking community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles) in potential fields such as clean energy, biology, health, education; digital transformation, and high-tech agriculture, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau has told a Belgian official.

 

At a reception on October 20 for Minister-President of the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles Pierre-Yves Jeholet, who is on a working visit to the city, Chau briefed the guest on the locality’s socio-economic development, and thanked the Belgian government for supporting Vietnam, including HCM City, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

HCM City eyes stronger cooperation with Wallonie-Bruxelles hinh anh 2

 

Participants at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

 

He promised to create the most favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Wallonia-Bruxelles, to do business and long-term investment in the southern hub.

 

Chau also suggested the two sides promote cultural exchange activities, towards enhancing the mutual understanding, solidarity and friendship between Vietnamese and Belgian people.

 

For his part, Pierre-Yves Jeholet highlighted the fruitful relations and multifaceted cooperation between Wallonie-Bruxelles and Vietnam as the two countries will celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties in 2023.

 

Wallonie-Bruxelles, with businesses having strengths in pharmaceutical and biotechnological research, is eager to push up cooperation with Vietnam in general and HCM City in particular in this field, and expand existing projects, the official said, adding Wallonie-Bruxelles is willing to cooperate with HCM City in areas of its strength.

 

The Belgian region looks to boost bilateral trade with HCM City, as well as cooperation between private enterprises of the two localities in developing clean energy, waste-to-renewable energy industry, and water treatment, he affirmed./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 20 hosted a meeting with incumbent and former female leaders of the Party and State, female members of the 13th Party Central Committee and female deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA).

 

The meeting, held on the occasion of the opening of the 15th NA’s fourth session and the 92nd founding anniversary of the Vietnamese Women’s Union, also saw the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, among others.

 

Speaking at the meeting, President Phuc affirmed that women have played a significant role in the national construction and defence, and left their strong imprints throughout the country’s history.

 

The Party and State have paid great attention to developing the contingent of female officials in the political system from the central to local levels, he said, noting that the issue has been clearly stated in documents of all the Party Congresses and Party Central Committee’s resolutions.

 

Vietnam ranks 62nd among 193 countries in terms of the ratio of women in the parliament. At the 15th NA, women are taking 30.26% of total seats, while the average percentage is 21% in Asia and 26.4% in the world. Vietnam had the first NA leader at 14th tenure, he noted.

 

The State leader hailed the group of female NA deputies for their practical and effective activities as part of the NA’s efforts to reform its operation.

 

President hosts female officials, NA deputies hinh anh 2

 

Participants at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

 

Underlining the significance of the promotion of women’s role in the improvement of labour productivity, poverty reduction and the narrowing of development gap among communities, regions and localities, he said he hopes NA female deputies will continue to work hard for the common success of the 15th NA, while actively engaging in the building policies and law related to gender equality and the protection of women and girls’ rights.

 

The State leader also asked Party Committees and administrations at all levels as well as ministries and sectors to effectively implementing regulations regarding women affairs, thus further promoting the role of women in economic, political and social activities.

 

He pledged that the Party and State will continue to create optimal conditions for female NA deputies to fulfill their role as representatives of the people, while ensuring resources for the full implementation of laws on gender equality./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

The visit to Vietnam by Secretary-General António Guterres from October 21 – 22 reflects the importance the United Nations attaches to the international role and position of and contributions by the Southeast Asian nation as well as the partnership between the two sides, a diplomat has said.

 

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, stressed that the visit is of great significance.

 

Through meetings between the UN Secretary General and Vietnamese high-ranking Party and State leaders and diverse activities during the visit, the multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides will be enhanced in a more intensive and practical manner, the ambassador said.

 

This also helps promote issues of shared concern such as the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially those on environmental protection and climate change response, enabling Vietnam to contribute more to international efforts in addressing global challenges, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world, he continued.

 

Reviewing the cooperation between the two sides over the past 45 years, Giang noted that the UN was Vietnam’s biggest international partner that provided support for the country in the post-war reconstruction through a range of projects in poverty reduction, helping to ensure its people’s lives.

 

Gradually, with marked achievements in reform, socio-economic development and international integration, Vietnam has consolidated its position in the international arena.

 

Vietnam has set up diplomatic ties with nearly 190 UN member countries and strategic and comprehensive partnerships with all leading important partners, Giang said, adding that Vietnam’s international position is associated with its active, responsible and practical contributions to common affairs of the international community, particularly the UN.

 

Vietnam won seats at UN agencies like the Security Council for the 2008-2009 and 2020-2021 tenures, the Human Rights Council for 2014-2016, and the Economic and Social Council for 2016-2018; and had chances to engage in discussions to promote solutions in important areas.

 

Since 2014, Vietnam has joined UN peacekeeping operations. Most recently, the country was elected a Vice President of the 77th UN General Assembly for 2022-2023, and a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

 

Through such engagement, Vietnam has affirmed that it not only is serious and willing to be a reliable, constructive and responsible member of the international community, but also has full capacity in terms of capacity and resources to take on tasks and join international efforts in handling common issues, according to the ambassador.

 

Giang added that Vietnam has played a role in promoting multilateralism and collective approach, which is crucial and drawing attention of countries given the complex developments, competitions and differences of the world situation.

 

These noteworthy achievements have helped affirm Vietnam’s development attainments over the past years, while facilitating its intensive and extensive participation in regional and global affairs in the time ahead, he said.

 

UN chief’s Vietnam visit of great significance: ambassador hinh anh 2

 

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo: VNA)

 

They have also contributed to implementing Vietnam’s inclusive target of ensuring the highest interest of the nation and utilising resources to serve the national development.

 

Giang said the current global and international situation, as well as the country’s potential and its rising position, has both required and created conditions for Vietnam to work harder to make quality progress for the relationship with the UN.

 

He suggested Vietnam further work together with other countries to promote multilateralism and the role of the UN, while actively contributing to joint efforts in maintaining international peace and security, especially issues directly related to the region.

 

Vietnam’s joining UN peacekeeping activities will be further expanded in various localities, he said, emphasising that the country will carry forward its active role in promoting important agendas, covering the implementation of SDGs.

 

The engagement is expected to help Vietnam optimise resources and support of the international community for its sustainable development.

 

Giang noted Vietnam is working together with key countries to prepare a UN summit on improving the world’s response to pandemics, and that Vietnam will strive to bring into full play opportunities through its membership at the Human Rights Council for 2023-2025./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam shared its experience in ensuring the rights of labourers and emphasised the significance of better caring for them as well as the creation of sustainable employment, at an event jointly held by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Group of Friends of Decent Work for Sustainable Development in New York on October 20.

 

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Chargé d’affaires of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations (UN), underscored the important role of harmonising national legislation with international labour standards.

 

The diplomat said she believes that suitable harmonisation will help improve working conditions, protect workers’ rights, and promote effective economic cooperation among countries.

 

Ambassador Tra highlighted progress Vietnam has made in the field, including the joining of more ILO conventions and the adoption of the revised Labour Code in 2019 with many new contents matching international labour standards.

 

She also clarified advantages and challenges Vietnam has seen since joining ILO conventions.

 

The Vietnamese representative welcomed the opportunity to share with and learn from experience from different regions and countries, and affirmed that Vietnam will continue to cooperate with the ILO, other countries and stakeholders in promoting workers’ rights./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency