President Vo Van Thuong’s Speech at APEC Business Summit

President Vo Van Thuong attended the dialogue at the US Council on Foreign Relations, November 14. Photo: VNA

Important messages

In November, President Vo Van Thuong and his wife along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attended the APEC Business Summit in San Francisco and had bilateral activities there.

President Vo Van Thuong and senior leaders of APEC member economies discussed core issues facing the world and regional economies.

President Vo Van Thuong spoke and discussed the world situation, Vietnam’s foreign policy, and Vietnam-US relations at the US Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

He also spoke at a roundtable event about connecting Vietnamese localities and US businesses in high technology.

At the CFR, President Vo Van Thuong’s speech conveyed a clear message about Vietnam’s view from the perspective of a peace-loving culture and history, an independent and self-reliant foreign policy for peace and friendship, development, diversification, and multilateralization.

Vietnam is a friend and trusted partner, a responsible member of the international community.

He mentioned that Vietnam upholds international law, and multilateralism, wishes to resolve disputes by peaceful means, and always promotes national unity and harmony.

The President said Vietnam shares common views on countries implementing policies of peace, friendship, and cooperation, valuing equality and each other’s legitimate interests.

Vietnam will contribute to the international community with the spirit of great justice and humanity of a nation that always loves peace, friendship, and respect for other nations.

Professor Carl Thayer, Emeritus professor at The University of New South Wales said, “The President’s speech at the APEC Business Summit was sophisticated and carefully crafted.

The speech emphasized the importance of multilateralism, international law and the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda as key elements of a stable and fair world order.

The President’s speech reflects Vietnam’s strategic vision of seriously examining the contradictions in the international system and identifying not only the challenges they pose but also the opportunities they bring.

President Vo Van Thuong spoke at the event, November 14. Photo: VNA

Deep impressions

The President’s speeches and messages during the trip made a strong impression in the United States.

Scott Marciel, a veteran diplomat and former US Ambassador to Indonesia, said “The President clearly shared Vietnam’s views on relations with the United States as well as major countries, including issues global and the relationships of other countries.

We clearly see that the President has shown Vietnam’s will to become a responsible member in the international arena, striving to maintain independence and autonomy.”

Journalist James Borton, senior Asia expert at the Washington Times based in Washington D.C. appreciated the message from President Vo Van Thuong on the importance of balancing environmental protection, and implementing the national goal of hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

“The President’s statement shows that Vietnam is adjusting itself in a rapidly changing economic, social, and political order,” he said.

John McCarthy, former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said “The President’s speeches are expected by many people because they are delivered right after President Biden’s visit and the two countries upgrading relations.

The speech sent a strong message about the need to balance development and the environment, affirming the positive role of globalization.

I appreciate Vietnam’s positive attitude toward new technology, showing the right direction for Vietnam in the coming decades.”