Vietnam’s Top Leader Addresses the United Nations General Assembly: A Visionary Speech at the 79th Session.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son meets with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Vietnam Strengthens Ties with the UK and Algeria

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held meetings with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf during the UN Summit of the Future as part of the High-Level Week of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.

Congratulating Lammy on his recent appointment, Son expressed gratitude for the UK’s support in typhoon Yagi recovery efforts. He appreciated the UK’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status and noted Vietnam’s ratification of the UK’s accession to the CPTPP.

Son commended the UK’s role in the Just Energy Transition Partnership and urged continued support for Vietnam’s resource mobilization plan. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to deepening the ASEAN-UK partnership.

Lammy emphasized the UK’s dedication to strengthening its Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and supporting its sustainable economic growth. He proposed enhanced cooperation in defense, security, migration, and border management.

Both sides agreed to effectively implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and maximize CPTPP opportunities.

They welcomed the positive developments in ASEAN-UK relations and affirmed their support for peace and stability in the East Sea, resolving issues through peaceful means based on international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

In his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, Son congratulated Algeria on its recent successful presidential election. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to the traditional friendship between the two countries and suggested enhancing delegation exchanges and multilateral coordination.

Attaf agreed on strengthening political relations and expanding cooperation in various fields, including economy, investment, trade, energy, oil and gas, and cultural exchanges. He expressed his desire to visit Vietnam.

Both sides agreed to closely coordinate to implement the outcomes of the 12th session of the Vietnam-Algeria Intergovernmental Committee.

Vietnam’s Top Leader Speaks at the 79th UNGA General Debate

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam delivered a powerful speech at the UNGA’s 79th session in New York on September 24. The event, themed “Leaving no one behind,” gathered world leaders to discuss peace, sustainable development, and humanity.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam addresses the UNGA General Debate (Photo: VNA)

In his speech, Lam emphasized the transformative changes in the world and the challenges to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. He called for unity and action, upholding the role of international institutions, including the UN and ASEAN.

Sharing Vietnam’s vision, he stressed the importance of peace and stability as the foundation for a prosperous future. He urged all states, especially major powers, to promote international law, act responsibly, and contribute to the global community.

Lam called for effective resource mobilization for development, especially for implementing the SDGs, and assisting developing and less-developed countries.

He also advocated for smart global governance frameworks for science and technology, particularly AI, to ensure progress and address potential threats.

According to Lam, innovative thinking is necessary to build a transformative future across sectors, focusing on digital transformation, green transition, and global governance reform. He emphasized the need for better representation, equity, and transparency in multilateral mechanisms.

He noted that people should be at the center of all policies, with investments focusing on youth development and shared values.

Vietnam Continues Peacekeeping Efforts in Abyei and South Sudan

Vietnam bid farewell to 247 military officers who will join peacekeeping missions in Abyei and South Sudan. The send-off ceremony for Engineering Unit Rotation 3 and Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 was held in Hanoi on September 24.

Engineering Unit Rotation 3, with 184 personnel, will serve in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), while 63 personnel from Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 will join the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The officers have been equipped with medical expertise, English proficiency, and peacekeeping knowledge, meeting UN criteria.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan commended Vietnam’s achievements in UN peacekeeping activities over the past 10 years, demonstrating the country’s responsibility and contribution to global challenges.

Send-off ceremony for peacekeeping forces to Abyei and South Sudan, Hanoi, September 24, 2024. Photo: VNA

Xuan expressed pride in the achievements of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces and their bravery, intelligence, and dedication. She also thanked the UN and partner countries for their support.

May 27 marked a decade of Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, with over 800 officers and soldiers engaged in 4 missions, including the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Abyei, and the UN headquarters.

Forum Boosts Vietnam-France Economic and Trade Exchange

A hybrid forum in Marseille on September 23 facilitated economic and trade exchange between Vietnamese enterprises and those in France’s Aix-Marseille Provence metropolitan area.

The Vietnamese business finance alliance expressed its desire for equal and win-win cooperation with French partners, and it is considering specific investment projects in France.

Hybrid Forum in Marseille, France, on September 23. (Photo: VNA)

The forum provided an opportunity for French businesses to connect with Vietnamese partners in industry, trade, education, and culture. It also aimed to organize a field trip to Vietnam for French enterprises to establish win-win partnerships.

The Head of the Vietnamese Trade Office, Vu Anh Son, noted that Marseille and Aix-Marseille Provence have strong economic potential, and building sustainable ties with partners in the region is crucial for Vietnamese goods to access European markets through the Marseille port.

Vice President of the Aix-Marseille Provence CCI, Federic Ronal, highlighted the potential of the Vietnamese market for French corporations to enter the larger Asian market.

Vietnam and Malawi Establish Diplomatic Relations

Vietnam and Malawi signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations at the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations in New York, witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and Malawi’s Foreign Minister Nancy Tempo.

Representatives of Vietnam and Malawi sign the joint communiqué in New York.

Both foreign ministers expressed pleasure at the signing, marking a historic milestone. Son proposed activities for delegation exchanges and bilateral contacts to enhance mutual understanding and expand cooperation.

Vietnam is ready to share its development experiences with Malawi, especially in economic development, innovation, agriculture, fisheries, and education. Vietnam also offered collaboration in seeking funding for tripartite agricultural projects in Malawi.

Malawi, located in southern Africa, has a population of 23.38 million and a GDP of US$11.24 billion. With this establishment, Vietnam now has diplomatic relations with 194 countries and territories worldwide, including all African nations.