PM Pham Minh Chinh delivers remarks at the 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia (photo: VNA)
Hanoi, (VNA) – The following
is the full text of remarks by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia.
"Join hands to
build Asia in the post-Covid 19 era
Mr. President,
Distinguished leaders,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It
is my great pleasure today to attend and address the 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia. At the outset, I would like to
thank the Government of Japan and Nikkei Inc. for inviting me to this very
significant Conference. Let me take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government
of Viet Nam and from my own heart, to extend my warm greetings and best wishes
to all distinguished leaders and participants.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I commend Nikkei
for choosing a highly relevant and suitable theme, namely: “Shaping the
post-COVID era: Asia’s role in the global recovery”. This affirms the
role and standing of Asia in the fight against COVID-19, and in the post-COVID
economic recovery and development. Our Conference today takes place at a time
when the COVID-19 pandemic is occuring in an extremely complex manner
regionally and globally. The pandemic is also seriously affecting the
socio-economic development and the people’s life in all countries. Impacts of
the pandemic have increasingly unveiled the challenges facing Asia such as the
development gap in institutions, infrastructure and technology, traditional and
non-traditional security issues, including natural disasters, environmental
pollution and climate change, among others. Moreover, the pandemic has deeply
altered the economic structure and order, method of global governance, economic
operation and organisation of social life around the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Asia
has always played a critical role in the world economy and politics, and has an
immense and multi-faceted influence on the shaping of the new era. Over the
last decades, Asia has stood the test of numerous crises and recessions, and
risen to become an essential engine for the global economy. The initial success
of Asian countries in the prevention of and fight against the pandemic,
together with the economic recovery recently, has proved the dynamics and
vitality of a rising region. This helps position Asia’s standing in a changing
world.
The COVID-19
pandemic, however, is viewed as “the most dreadful disaster facing the
humanities since the World War II. The pandemic has been and will enormously
impact the regional and global landscape, and the social and economic life of
all countries. More than ever before, it is now time for all nations to set
aside differences and disagreements for unity, unanimity, mutual support and
mutual assistance. Together, we will defeat the pandemic.
The worse
predicament will require us to be more united for greater cooperation to
triumph over adversities and hardships. Extraordinary circumstances call for
strong, resolute and special actions and measures. We need a new cooperation
framework that creates necessary breakthroughs to both help our economies
weather the pandemic and lay the groundwork for sustainable development and
inclusive growth in the future. Together, we can join hands to build an Asia
of peace, cooperation and stronger development in the post-COVID 19 era.
It is essential
to vigorously foster internal strength, intensify adaptation capacity,
self-reliance and resilience, enhance international cooperation, place people
at the centre of all policies, consider cultural and historical traditions as
the bedrock, and regard adversities and challenges as the motivation. We need
to focus on six areas of cooperation as follows:
First,
the development of high-quality and strategic infrastructure is both an
effective measure to stimulate economic growth in the short term, and a
strategic breakthrough in the long term. Given the current pace of
development, Asia needs a solid infrastructure system to support economic
growth and ensure smooth connectivity from North to South, from East to West.
According to the
Asia Development Bank, by 2030 developing countries in Asia will need to invest
at least $1.7 trillion each year into infrastructure. Therefore, we welcome the
initiatives for high-quality and strategic infrastructure proposed by the
Japanese Government and other partners. We also need a more innovative approach
to financing, engaging the private sector, encouraging public-private
partnership (PPP), and improving public investment to lead and absorb private
investment.
Second,
we need to advance equal and effective economic cooperation, integration and
connectivity bilaterally and multilaterally to ensure the flows of trade and
investment and sustain the global supply chain.
The post-COVID recovery of Asia will be
largely dependent on its ability to maintain intra-and inter-regional trade and
investment. These efforts must be deployed at all global, regional,
inter-regional and national levels, particularly in domestic reform of every
nation. The open and rules-based economic connectivity frameworks, such as
CPTPP and RCEP, will help to accelerate the regional economic recovery and
development process. Meanwhile, the participating countries need to have
further discussions to seek methods for running the regional economies in an
appropriate manner so as to support the fight against the pandemic and the goal
of economic growth. It is critical to ensure movement of goods and people, and
guarantee smooth operations of supply and production chains, and business as
well.
Third,
the strengthening of cooperation in science and technology, and digital
technology provides fresh impetus for Asia to forge ahead in the post-COVID
era. To maximize gains and minimize risks from the booming digital
economy, we need to bolster cooperation in the following areas: (i) Enhancing
digital infrastructure and connectivity effectively, especially in developing
countries, (ii) Building e-government and moving towards digital government,
digital economy and digital society; (iii) Improving the people’s digital
knowledge and skills, and upskilling our workforce; (iv) Working together to
establish frameworks for cybersecurity, data security, management of tax and
logistic system for e-commerce.
Fourth,
green growth must be advanced from the very beginning of post-COVID recovery. This
will help shape the development of the entire economy with greater
sustainability, ensure greater ecological balance, and address environmental
and climate challenges.
We need to step
up information sharing and technology transfer in building a net-zero emission
growth model and a circular economy, and sustainable management of natural
resources. Such cooperation also includes the implementation of the Paris
Agreement on climate change, the fulfillment of the 2030 UN Sustainable
Development Goals, and the attainment of a global agreement on combating marine
plastic debris.
Fifth, we need
to strengthen cooperation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, improve public
health capacity and social welfare, and stand ready to respond to future health
challenges. Viet Nam is ready to share its experience in the prevention
of and fight against COVID-19. Viet Nam also looks forward to continue
receiving the support and assistance from all countries in this endeavor,
especially in terms of research and production, and equal access to vaccines
against COVID-19.
In the present
emergency, the production and distribution of vaccines are no longer the
business of any single country or corporation, but are instead humanitarian
issues with public health being the highest objective. No country can remain
safe while other countries are still affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Accordingly, the top priority now is to secure the supply of vaccines and
ensure fair and timely access to it, while also reducing intellectual property
rights barriers and accelerating the transfer of technologies for vaccine
production in an open, practical and effective way.
Furthermore, we
can take into consideration the establishment of regional cooperation or make
full use of existing mechanisms to respond to COVID-19 and other contagious
diseases in the future. We can work together on the establishment of the ASEAN
Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.
Sixth,
securing a peaceful and stable international environment is the prerequisite
for economic and social development. As the region and the world are
mobilising major resources to handle the urgent and unprecedented matters, it
is imperative for all countries to make contributions to the concerted efforts
in a responsible manner. It is also crucial to uphold the principles of mutual
respect, equal cooperation for mutual benefits. Regarding the South China Sea,
we must address disputes and differences by peaceful solutions, fully observe
the laws, especially the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of
the Sea. We need to bring into full play the multilateral cooperation
mechanisms, implement fully and effectively the DOC and work closely in the
effective negotiations for the COC to be soon concluded. We also need to
maintain peace, cooperation and development in the region, freedom of
navigation and overflights in the South China Sea.
Viet
Nam is a responsible member, and stands ready to join other countries in
nurturing peace, stability, development and unity for the shared interests and
prosperity of each nation, the region and the world at large, and for all
people’s well-being and happiness around the world.
The
Vietnamese people have a saying: “fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men” while the Japanese have an adage:
“Beautiful is the plum flower that endures the snow” (Yuuki ni Taete Baika
Uruwashi).
We are deeply
convinced that we will unite together and join hands to build Asia in the
post-COVID era. This faith comes from the Asian values and characteristics.
Those are the values of community, vision, perseverance, courage, discipline,
adaptability and aspiration to rise.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Talking about
the future of Asia, it would be amiss not to mention Japan’s role as one of the
most advanced economies in the world, having made vital contributions to the
development of our continent. Asian countries and Japan together overcame the
2008 financial crisis and became an engine for global economic growth. And
today we are once again standing side by side in the fight against COVID-19.
Endeavors and projects that enjoy effective assistance from Japan are present
everywhere in Asia, ranging from transport infrastructure, energy and
agriculture to healthcare, technology, telecommunication, culture, education
and public health.
The
Extensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Japan continues to
flourish and bring about real benefits in many areas. The two countries enjoy
strong political trust. Viet Nam deeply appreciates the invaluable assistance
that the Government and people of Japan have given to us in our socio-economic
development over the past four decades. Viet Nam welcomes Japan’s efforts for
regional connectivity, economic integration, and sustainable development. I
hope that Japan will continue to play an important role in reinforcing peace,
stability, cooperation and development in the region. Let me take this
opportunity to wish, and express our trust that, the Government and people of
Japan, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Suga, will achieve new
outstanding heights in your national development process. May your hosting of
the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games be a great success, a symbol of global
unity in the fight against COVID-19 as a testimony to the statement by Prime
Minister Suga.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Alongside the
international community, over the past year, Viet Nam has made every effort to
combat the COVID-19 pandemic. On this note, let me express the most sincere
thanks and appreciation with profound emotion to the regional countries,
particularly Japan for having actively assisted Viet Nam in responding to
COVID-19 and addressing the aftermaths of floods and droughts. Thanks to the
strong determination of the Government and the whole-hearted support of the
people, Viet Nam has focused on the “dual goal” of fighting the pandemic
effectively and reviving socio-economic development.
According to a
number of international institutions, Viet Nam is among the economies best
positioned for post-COVID recovery. This achievement is largely owed to the
political and social stability, the power of national unity, the Government’s
resolute, timely and effective measures, and the solid macroeconomic
foundation.
We will
tirelessly continue to build upon the results achieved and overcome any
challenges to advance our country, on the basis of the following three main
pillars: the wellspring of cultural and historical traditions of our nation,
the virtue of the Vietnamese people, and our natural resources.
Our
development philosophy includes the followings : First, develop
rapidly and sustainably on the basis of science, technology, innovation,
digital transformation. Ensure harmony among economic growth, social and
cultural development and environmental protection, and enhance climate change
adaptation. The major directions for development include reform of growth
model, economic restructuring, green growth, market’s demand, emerging
industries and increase of productivity.
Second, complete a full-fledged, synchronized, modern and integrated institutional
framework for development is the prerequisite for a favorable, healthy and fair
environment for all economic sectors.
Third, inspire the
aspirations for the development of a nation of prosperity, happiness and strong
resilience and bring into full play the national unity. Unleash the strength of
human factor and consider human as the center, the subject, the most important
asset and driver for, and the goal of development. We shall not sacrifice
social progress and justice in exchange for pure economic pursuit.
Fourth, develop a
self-reliant economy on the foundation of mastering technology, active
integration and greater adaptability. Harnessing internal strength is decisive
along side external resources and the power of
our times.
Fifth, implement a foreign policy of
independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification. To
actively engage in comprehensive, intensive and effective international
integration as a responsible member of the international community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Viet
Nam's dynamic and potential market of one hundred million people enjoys all
necessary factors, from institutions, policies and infrastructure to
geographical location, political and social stability, investment climate and
workforce. These conditions will enable stronger growth for Viet Nam in the new
era.
In the next ten
years, Viet Nam will focus on three strategic breakthroughs: to complete the institutions, upskill the workforce and develop a synchronized
infrastructure system. Viet Nam will give top priorities to projects in the
fields of digital, green and circular economy, and climate change adaptation.
The
robust growth of Viet Nam’s economy opens up numerous investment and business
opportunities for regional and international businesses. Viet Nam stands ready
to help you explore new opportunities for cooperation and investment in
strategic infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and supporting industries,
environmental industries, high-quality agribusiness, electronics, ICT,
biotechnology, smart cities and logistics.
The Government of Viet Nam will continue
to improve the business environment, create the best conditions for and stand
side by side with foreign investors. Together, we shall all win, and together
we shall shoulder any risk caused by external shocks.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A rising Asia for peace, stability,
prosperity and development is the shared aspiration of all regional countries.
The unity among nations, the determination of Governments, the joint efforts
and engagement of the business communities and the public are the key to build
a brighter future for Asia.
Given our unity,
self-reliance, resilience, tireless innovation and the will to rise by the
labor of our own hands and minds, and make the best use of our lands, skies,
and waters, we are entirely able to “make something out of nothing, make
easy out of the difficult, and make the possible out of the impossible.” Asia
today has in its hands the opportunities and power to shape its own role and
standing in the new era, and we can say:
The future is Asia, and Asia will move together towards the future.
Thank
you for your kind attention. May our Conference be a great success./.
VNA