Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) At the meeting, ministers pointed to major difficulties andchallenges currently, especially those related to climate change, environment,food security, energy, water resources as well as the decline in trust andmultilateral cooperation.
They were especially concerned as the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) have been completed by 14%, and believed that the 2024Summit of the Future is significant in creating new catalysts to promote theimplementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The ministers shared their countries' vision and priorities for the summit,and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global governance and multilateralism,calling for respect for the basic principles of international law and the UNCharter.
Addressing the event, FM Son stressed the need to listen to theopinions of countries and relevant parties, including the important role of youthin shaping the future world. The decision-making process needs to be led bymember states and conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive mannerwithout creating duplication or unnecessary burdens for developing countries,he stated.
The Vietnamese representative said that future agreementsneed to focus on promoting the SDGs, ensuring fairness, justice and theprinciple of common but distinct responsibilities. The reform of globalmultilateral systems, including international financial institutions, mustprioritise ensuring the rights and creating more voices for developingcountries, he underlined.
FM Son also highlighted pressing challenges that need to beresolved such as climate change, global health governance, sustainablyhandling the water-food-energy relationship, as well as ensuring that digitaltechnology and artificial intelligence serve humans.
The 2024 Summit of the Future is scheduled for September22-23.
On the occasion of his participation at the high-levelgeneral debate of the United Nations General Assembly, FM Son had bilateralmeetings with his counterparts from Belarus, Estonia, Hungary, and the DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq.
Meeting Belarus’s Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, FM Sonaffirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendship and all-round cooperation withBelarus, and thanked the Government and people of Belarus for supportingVietnam in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The two FMs agreed to strengthenpolitical consultation mechanisms to promote cooperation and actively preparefor delegation exchange activities, especially at the high level in the comingtime.
FM Son underlined the need for Vietnam and Belarus to workclosely together to better exploit advantages and potential of the EurasianEconomic Union (EAEU).
Aleinik affirmed that Belarus attaches great importance to Vietnam and hopes that the two sides will deploy comprehensive and effectivemeasures to beef up trade partnership and open the market for each other’sstrong products, while strengthen cooperation in promising areas such aseducation and training, labour and agriculture.
In another meeting, Son and Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto highly valued the traditional friendship and growing cooperation betweenthe two countries in many areas, especially economy and trade, in the context thatthe two countries are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their comprehensivepartnership.
FM Son thanked Hungary for actively supporting Vietnam inthe process of negotiating and signing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)and being the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Vietnam InvestmentAssociation (EVIPA).
Szijjarto said that Hungary always highly values the role ofthe Vietnamese community in Hungary and supports the EC’s removal of the “yellowcard” against Vietnamese seafood exports.
The two sides concurred to coordinate closely to prepare fordelegation exchanges, especially at the high level in the time to come, whilestrengthening collaboration and mutual support at multilateral forums. Theyalso discussed a number of international and regional issues of shared concern.
At the meeting between FM Son and Estonian FM Margus Tsahkna, the two sidesaffirmed the importance that they attach to the Vietnam-Estonia traditional relations andshared delight at the progress in bilateral ties over the years.
FM Son thanked Estonia for supporting Vietnam in negotiatingfor the EVFTA and signing the EVIPA. He proposed that Estonia support the removalof the EC’s “yellow card” against Vietnamese seafood exports. Tsahkna said hehopes the two sides promote cooperation in digital technology, greentransition, and transport.
Meeting Iraqi Deputy PM and FM Fuad Mohamed Hussein, FM Son suggestedthat the two sides increase cooperation in promising areas such as agriculture,import-export and Halal market development.
The Iraqi official lauded the socio-economic achievementsthat Vietnam has gained over the past decades.
The two sides agreed to speed up procedures for the re-opening ofthe Iraqi embassy in Hanoi, and concurred to organise the next meeting ofthe Joint Committee on bilateral cooperation at an early date to promote the bilateral ties in politics, diplomacy and economy./.
VNA
