Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc: 10-hour working trip with 15 activities at the UN

During 1 working day (more than 10 hours), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a program with 15 activities: Attending and giving an important speech at the High-Level Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).Q) 73rd session; had meetings with the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary General and many important bilateral meetings with 5 heads of state and leaders of countries; exchanged and discussed with major US corporations; met with US friends, officials of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN and representatives of the Vietnamese community in New York.

Speaking to the leaders of 193 countries attending the High-Level Discussion with the theme: "Making the United Nations relevant to all people: Global leadership and shared responsibility for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies", Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the United Nations has promoted its great role, tirelessly made efforts to maintain peace, prevent conflicts and wars; and implement the "core norms of international relations”in the UN Charter.
Today, the United Nations has truly become a symbol of global solidarity, a place where progressive human values ​​crystallize and the aspiration for a peaceful, prosperous and just world is realized. Over the past 70 years, Vietnam has accompanied and contributed to the noble goals of the United Nations and is one of the few countries that have completed many of the UN's 2015 Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule, especially on hunger eradication and poverty reduction.
Vietnam has always been consistent in upholding the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law in resolving international disputes by peaceful means, including in the East Sea region. Vietnam is making greater efforts for fairness and sustainable development; promoting equality, supporting vulnerable groups; protecting the environment; ensuring the rights of all people, while upholding the spirit of dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues.

The Prime Minister said that the world is currently facing new and enormous challenges. The authoritarian mindset that emphasizes strength, the use or threat of force, and the increase in unilateral measures continue to be threats to international peace and stability. “No country, no matter how rich and powerful, has the capacity to solve the current great global challenges. That requires the efforts and cooperation of all countries on the planet. The Prime Minister proposed the issue of "dual responsibility", each country has more responsibility for global issues, each individual has more role as a global citizen. The Prime Minister expressed his wish that the major powers and developed countries, through practical actions, should be the leading examples in maintaining peace and development. The United Nations General Assembly should be the center for countries and peoples to cooperate for peace, justice and sustainable development.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, human progress is not only measured by technological achievements but first and foremost by peace and prosperity, and we must know how to cherish and seize every opportunity, no matter how small, for peace. The voice of a small country or the aspirations of the disadvantaged must be respected, listened to, and shared. That is the foundation for sustainable, inclusive development that leaves no one behind, the basis of social stability as well as ensuring the rights and promoting the creativity of each person.

The Prime Minister said that the UN needs to reform strongly and comprehensively towards improving efficiency, democracy and transparency to fulfill its irreplaceable role in leading the handling of global challenges. The UN needs to strengthen cooperation with regions, including promoting the UN-ASEAN Summit Cooperation Mechanism in the direction of: Increasing the UN's content in ASEAN and highlighting the ASEAN content in the UN.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the 53 Asia-Pacific countries for unanimously nominating Vietnam as the Group's sole candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and thanked other countries for their generous support for Vietnam. The Prime Minister requested and hoped to receive support from all member countries. "Vietnam pledges to always be an active and responsible member of the international community and the United Nations."

On the sidelines of the discussion session, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; President of the Council of State of Cuba; Presidents of Croatia, Fiji, Saint Lucia; Prime Minister of Bulgaria, etc. to discuss measures to promote cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations and bilateral relations with these countries.

The Prime Minister also received the Chairman of the Harbinger Foundation and the former US Treasury Secretary and Chairman of the Warburg Pincus Foundation; met and discussed with many large corporations, including the US Fortune 500 corporations such as GE, Walmart, Amazon, HSBC, Metlife, Medtronic, Gilead Sciences, etc.

Emphasizing ideas and initiatives – the most important factors in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Prime Minister asked US investors to contribute ideas to Vietnam's development process in all fields, such as 4.0 ideas in agriculture, healthcare, education, etc. "The important thing is to let me know who is willing to come to Vietnam to turn creative ideas into reality," the Prime Minister said.

Calling on the US “big cranes” to invest in Vietnam, the Prime Minister expressed his wish that investors share the methods and what the Vietnamese Government can do so that the 4.0 Industrial Revolution can truly bring benefits and the ability to create breakthrough developments for Vietnam rather than being threatened with job losses and the risk of falling behind… The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is always open to welcome and create conditions for investors to succeed.

US businesses assessed Vietnam as a dynamic market with great potential; thanked the Vietnamese Government for its support to US businesses operating in Vietnam in recent times; welcomed the Government's policy in calling for investment and expressed interest in areas such as infrastructure, energy, pharmaceuticals, e-transactions, services, startups, etc. Businesses highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government's emphasis on policies to connect businesses and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and believed that this is an area where cooperation with Vietnam can be expanded, especially in the digital economy, digital connection, and support for Vietnam in building an e-Government.

Meeting with officials of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, representatives of the Vietnamese community and some American friends in New York, the Prime Minister emphasized the view that Vietnam is a constructive and responsible partner in the international community. At the same time, he highly appreciated the sense of responsibility and efficiency of the collective of officials and staff of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations; requested them to continue promoting the spirit of initiative, creativity, innovation, and contribute more to diplomatic work at this most important multilateral forum.

It can be said that, in the context of Vietnam running for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance at the High-Level Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly is of special significance, affirming the role and commitment of Vietnam and other members of the UN to join hands to address global challenges; emphasizing the message of strengthening global partnerships for a world of peace, fairness and sustainable development for all people.

Duc Tuan