Day: December 10, 2022

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming official visit to the Netherlands aims to promote, tighten and elevate the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Vietnam and the European country, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh.

 

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the PM’s visit from December 11-12, the Ambassador said the visit, made at the invitation of PM Mark Rutte and taking place ahead of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties, will create a premise for a new development period of the Vietnam-Netherlands ties.

 

The ambassador noted that the two countries share similarities in natural conditions and geopolitics. The Netherlands has strengths in utilising water resources and a resolve in fulfilling climate and environmental protection targets, and the country has set a good example in terms of circular economy, digital transformation and energy transformation. Those are also issues that Vietnam attaches importance to.

 

Therefore, PM Chinh is especially interested in collaboration with the Netherlands in climate change response and energy transition, Anh said, adding that the PM also pays attention to trade and investment cooperation.

 

Therefore, the Vietnamese government leader will chair a business forum on cooperation in climate change and energy transition and meet with leading Dutch enterprises which have already invested in Vietnam or are interested in shifting their operation to Vietnam.

 

Highlighting the hallmarks in the bilateral friendship over the past nearly 50 years such as the Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam and the Quang Tri hospital, Anh stressed that the Netherlands had sent experts to help Vietnam in education, agriculture, irrigation and maritime during the most difficult years. The support has helped the Southeast Asian nation overcome difficulties and become a rice exporter.

 

The relationship has seen outstanding developments over the past two decades, he said, explaining that the enhanced delegation exchange has contributed to boosting cooperation in all spheres, and led to the formation of two strategic partnerships during this period- the strategic partnership in climate change adaptation and water management (in 2010) and another on sustainable agriculture and food security (in 2014). The two countries also formed a comprehensive partnership during a Vietnam visit by PM Mark Rutte in April 2019.

 

The ambassador held that the two countries hold substantial potential for cooperation, particularly in climate change response, energy transition, seaport planning and construction, semi-conductor technology, and high-tech agriculture. /.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

A forum to discuss ways to remove difficulties facing Vietnamese investors in Laos was jointly held in Vientiane on December 9 by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment (MoIT) and  the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos.

 

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung said many projects invested by Vietnamese enterprises in Laos are operating effectively, helping create jobs and improve incomes for thousands of local workers, as well as greatly contributing to the Lao state budget, especially in the fields of telecommunications, banking, and agriculture-forestry.

 

Vietnam’s investment in Laos increased by 49% in the first 11 months of 2022, and is forecasted to expand by 57.7% in the whole year, he said.

 

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Phuong said he hopes relevant agencies of Laos will continue to support and help remove difficulties and obstacles facing Vietnamese businesses investing in Laos.

 

He urged Vietnamese investors and businesses to speed up the implementation of investment projects in Laos, strictly abide by the laws of the two countries, and pay attention to protecting the environment and social security activities in the host country

 

At the forum, representatives from Vietnamese enterprises reported on their situation and proposed solutions to outstanding difficulties in the fields of energy, minerals, agriculture, and services.

 

In his speech, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosy spoke highly of Vietnamese businesses’ contributions to his country, stressing that those are not only important to the socio-economic development of Laos, but also help promote the good tradition between the two nations.

 

Opinions collected at the forum will be submitted to the Lao government in the near future, he said.

 

The forum is part of activities to prepare for the 45th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation and the Vietnam-Laos Investment Cooperation Conference that are scheduled to take place in Vientiane late this month./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

The People’s Committee of Truong Sa island district in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on December 9 hosted a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the district’s establishment (December 9, 1982 – 2022).

 

Addressing the event, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Ha Quoc Tri praised efforts of officers, soldiers and people of the island district over the years.

 

He urged the district authority to promote patriotic emulation movements, and cooperate with relevant forces to perform well assigned tasks, and ensure safety in Truong Sa, serving as a base for fishermen at sea.

 

On the occasion, under the authorisation of the President, the official presented the Labour Order, first class, to the armed forces and people of Truong Sa district; and certificates of merit to five organisations and eight individuals for their outstanding contributions to Truong Sa district’s development.

 

Over the last 40 years, Truong Sa district has witnessed strong development in all aspects. Investment has been poured into the building of infrastructure, such as ship locks, fishing logistics facilities. Ship locks in Truong Sa district can receive vessels with tonnages from 1,000 – 2,000 tonnes, and provide fisheries logistics services for fishermen.

 

Health stations and medical centres in the district have been equipped with modern machinery, ensuring health care for local soldiers, residents and fishermen. The district also has pre-school and primary schools./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Among Vietnam’s pledges as part of its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), it is encouraging that the country prioritised upholding its commitments and obligations under the international human rights treaties, of which Vietnam has ratified seven out of nine, according to UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis.

 

In her article titled “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” on the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10), Tamesis quoted the first line of the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

 

“In one sentence, it encapsulates the principles and values that we, as a human family have promised to uphold and fulfil 74 years ago. It is a powerful reminder of the proclamation made by the United Nations General Assembly on this very day in 1948,” she wrote.

 

Tamesis said 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership to the UN, citing UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as saying during his recent visit that upholding human rights in all its dimensions, remain vital to the next chapter of Vietnam’s development success story.

 

She pointed out that the world today continues to face a multitude of challenges, from pandemics to conflicts to climate change.

 

Vietnam has not been spared from impact of global crises, she said, adding that while the country is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it needs at the same time to cope with the increasing food and energy prices from the fallout of the war in Ukraine, while battling natural disasters and impact of climate change. Unfortunately, the poor and those least capable to overcome these shocks disproportionately bear the brunt of these crises.

 

According to the UN official, the climate crisis exacerbates vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority groups. Drought, heat waves and flooding lead to climate change-induced insecurity. Smallholder agriculture, particularly poor, ethnic minority and women farmers are ultimately the most severely impacted.

 

She said all these development challenges threaten dignity and equality in rights, including health, food, education, an adequate standard of living, social assistance, and even to life itself.

 

“The realities that vulnerable individuals and communities face in their lives and livelihoods serve as a reminder and push for our continued action to integrate human rights in all development priorities – from climate action, to labour and social protection, to economic transformation – and put people at the centre of development,” Tamesis wrote.

 

She noted that Vietnam’s election to the UNHRC for the period 2023-2025 presents a great responsibility but also an important opportunity to redouble efforts in protecting and promoting economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in line with international human rights standards.

 

Among Vietnam’s pledges as part of its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), it is encouraging that the country prioritised upholding its commitments and obligations under the international human rights treaties, of which Vietnam has ratified seven out of nine, strengthening education on human rights, and addressing the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, with particular attention on the rights of vulnerable groups, she wrote.

 

As Vietnam commences its membership to the council, it would be critical to translate these commitments into concrete actions, and to demonstrate even stronger evidence of the protection and promotion of human rights, she suggested.

 

The UN, as a proud and long-standing partner of Vietnam over the past 45 years, will continue to work closely with the Vietnamese Government, development partners and civil society, to keep human rights at the centre of all development efforts, she pledged.

 

“Renewed collaboration and cooperation, including meaningful inclusion and participation of diverse non-government actors and communities, will be crucial for promoting the vibrant dialogue needed to help Vietnam progress on a broad range of human rights,” Tamesis said.

 

“Together, we can fulfil the promise of a human family that upholds dignity, freedom and justice for all”./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

“Vietnam in the contemporary world: transformation and adaptation” was the topic of the sixth international conference on Vietnamese studies held by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University-HCM City, on December 10.

 

Domestic and international scientists presented nearly 60 reports, focusing on culture-literature-arts, history-society, and Vietnamese language teaching methods.

 

Le Hoang Dung, Vice President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said the conference aims to create a high-quality scientific forum on Vietnamese studies at home and in the region, and establish a network for international researchers to discuss issues in the contemporary Vietnamese society.

 

Mentioning cultural diplomacy, Vu Thi Viet Nga, from the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), stressed that thanks to efforts in this regard, Vietnam has promoted its image and culture in the international arena, adding that more and more countries want to learn about the country in a more intensive, extensive and practical way.

 

Bui Minh Hao, from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said in the context of exhausted natural resources, cultural values play an increasingly crucial role in development.

 

He took the example of ethnic minority groups that have successfully utilised their traditional culture in economic development, and stressed the need to roll out solutions to optimise culture in sustainable development of ethnic minority areas.

 

The conference also looked into the issue of value orientation among young people in the new situation./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai on December 9 had a working session with a delegation of ambassadors, consuls general and honorary consuls of EU member countries in Vietnam.

 

The two sides exchanged views on issues regarding investment attraction, socio-economic development promotion, and cooperation towards green, sustainable development.

 

Mai stressed that HCM City is very interested in green transition and sustainable development. He reiterated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s strong commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021, and said HCM City has identified the target of green and inclusive recovery.

 

The official briefed his guests on HCM City’s socio-economic situation in 2022, and shared its experience in flexibly and safely adapting to and effectively controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

He said the city is actively joining major global trends like opening, recovery, socio-economic development, green transition and digital transformation, and is working hard to deliver on the country’s climate commitments, especially one on net zero emissions by 2050.

 

Expressing his hope for stronger cooperation with European partners in such fields as green transition, digital transformation, climate change response, innovation and startup, Mai pledged to make all-out efforts to ensure a stable environment as well as legitimate rights and interests of investors and facilitate the stable, long-term, effective operations of EU firms in the city.

 

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, lauded efforts by Vietnam in general and HCM City in particular to overcome difficulties and maintain rapid, sustainable development.

 

He stressed that HCM City and the Mekong Delta at large play an important role in cutting gas emissions, and promised to support the city in rapid, sustainable development.

 

The participating ambassadors, consuls general and honorary consuls raised questions relating to the city’s needs for investments  with the intention of looking for investment opportunities for European firms, focusing on digital transformation, digital technology, big data, renewable energy, wind energy, green transport infrastructure, green logistics, green industrial parks and climate change, among others.

 

As of August 2022, 25 out of the 27 EU member countries had invested in Vietnam with a total 2,384 projects and a combined capital of 27.6 billion USD, accounting for 6.42% of the total foreign investment in the country, ranking fifth among 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

 

HCM City alone counted 1,141 projects from the EU worth some 7.94 billion USD, making up more than 10% of the FDI in the city, mainly in processing, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, car and motorbike repairing, and information-communications./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

By the end of November, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) had completed all targets of finance and oil and gas exploitation and production in 2022 ahead of schedule, and set new records in revenue and pre-tax profit, according to its General Director Le Manh Hung.

 

The crude oil output in the first 11 months of 2022 reached 9.91 million tonnes, exceeding the yearly target by 13%.

 

The group’s total revenue in 2022 reached the highest ever level of 854 trillion VND (over 36.22 billion USD). It contributed 134.5 trillion VND to the State budget, completing the plan set for the year ahead of six months.

 

As of November 16, the group fulfilled the mining development plan set for the year, putting five new mines into operation, actively contributing to increasing output, ensuring stable exploitation from mines of the group in 2022 and next years.

 

In the context of complicated fluctuations in crude oil prices, plunging world oil prices, and decreasing oil demand in Europe and the US due to the impact of the economic recession, Petrovietnam still achieved positive production and business results in November and the first 11 months of 2022 thanks to taking effective and timely solutions.

 

The group’s units have focused on diversifying forms of linkage and cooperation in order to optimise available resources and assets, contributing to improving its competitiveness and sustainable development.

 

Promoting scientific research and development, application of technology, and digital transformation, have proven effective, practically  contributing to the firm’s production, business, growth and development, Hung noted.

 

Besides production-related solutions, Petrovietnam will continue to implement volatility and cost management, and market solutions for products and services in the coming time in order to stabilise its production and business activities, he added./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), signed on December 10, 1982, is an inclusive and most important global legal framework to regulate rights and obligations of all coastal nations, a senior expert has affirmed.

 

Vu Hai Dang, a senior research fellow at the Centre for International Law – National University of Singapore, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that the fact that the convention had been ratified by the EU and 167 countries, including landlocked nations such as Laos, Mongolia and Switzerland, shows that its regulations have been widely recognised by the international community.

 

The implementation of the convention will reduce overlapping areas and manage disputes more effectively, preventing escalating tensions in the region, he said.

 

The expert spoke of the Group of Friends on the UNCLOS, established in June 2021 with Vietnam as a co-founder, and expressed his belief that the group will contribute to promoting the respect for international law and serve as an effective channel for discussions between countries on issues relating to seas and islands.

 

Professor, Dr. Thomas Engelbert from the German University of Hamburg held that the UNCLOS is of great significance to maritime security not only in Indo-Pacific but also the world as well.

 

This is the first time that clear regulations on behaviours at sea have been put forth, he said, viewing the formation of the document as a milestone in international law relating to the sea.

 

The convention has been used to successfully settle many complicated maritime disputes, including one on the East Sea in January 2013.

 

Talking about the UNCLOS Group of Friends, initiated by Germany and Vietnam, the professor said such cooperation initiatives and mechanisms are significant and crucial to the implementation of the convention.

 

Dr. Gerhard Will, former researcher on the East Sea at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the UNCLOS should be the ground for any solution in the East Sea.

 

All regulations for long-term and sustainable purposes must be based on the convention, he stressed.

 

In another interview with the VNA, Pavel Gudev, senior research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russia Academy of Sciences, described the UNCLOS as a unique experiment in international relations as it was complied over nearly 10 years.

 

He said the convention could be considered a “constitution” of the sea, as it regulates almost all sea-related activities./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency