Following his visit to Cuba, Vietnam president Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited New York to attend 76th meeting of the UN (United Nations) General Assembly and participated in the deliberations related to the important aspects of global order and international development. He also attended Joe Biden’s COVID-19 Summit. Vietnam President in his address at the global COVID-19 summit at New York stated that Vietnam is equally concerned about ending the Corona virus pandemic and helping countries regain the pre-COVID levels of economic growth. While supporting President Joe Biden’s initiatives related to supporting the international community in terms of medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic equipment, he concurred that the well-being of the humanity and the people in various parts of the world is critical at this moment. He stated that with new variants of COVID-19 emerging every day it is pertinent to note that there is need for accelerated early detection techniques, trailing the contacts, and developing foolproof quarantine mechanisms. He added that in many of the developing countries there is need for better testing facilities, oxygenators, oxygen equipment, lifesaving kit such as ventilators and while at the same time undertaking vaccination on a war footing.
He articulated that there is need for effective global cooperation, promoting resilient health care systems, maintaining supply chains of medicines and medical equipment, particularly in the Global South. He appreciated the fact that global health security fund has been instituted which will help the underdeveloped and developing countries in procuring many of these critical equipment. He stated that there is a need for effective vaccinations and undertaking preventive measures to contain the pandemic. Only then, he opined, that there will be an economic recovery of many of the economies across the world.
Expressing concerns regarding maintaining the vaccine supplies, he avowed that Vietnam would be keen in joining the global COVAX program and undertake its role in supporting developing countries. He valued the fact that many of the countries have come forward to donate vaccines to Vietnam now when the country is suffering from resurgence of COVID-19 virus and increasing deaths because of the newer variants of this virus. He indicated that there is need for vaccinating minimum two-third of the global population the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly next year. Vietnam has also donated 500,000 U.S. dollars for the global COVAX program and assured that Vietnam will be contributing to this endeavor in future also. He alluded to the fact that the Vietnam has promoted the ASEAN Region Response Fund in 2020 and many of the ASEAN countries have used 20.5 million U.S. dollars from this fund. He exuded confidence that in this endeavor against the Corona virus the global community will come together to protect the larger humanity.
During his visit to the US. the Vietnamese president also met CEOs (Chief Executive Officer) of major companies such as US Quantum group and even oversaw an agreement between the company and the Vietnamese group comprising of Kinhbac City Development Holding Corp (KBC) and Saigon Telecom Technology Joint Stock company. The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the US’s Quantum group expressed that in Vietnam the company wouldbe willing to make an investment of $20 to $30 billion in future. The major investment will be in the field of biotechnology research, vaccine production, health care and setting up a vaccine production center in Vietnam itself.
During the visit of the Vietnamese president Vietnam and US have signed a memorandum of understanding between the agricultural departments of the two countries. During the meeting related to the signing of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development of Vietnam and US Grains Council it was expressed that Vietnam can emerge as a potential destination for ethanol fuel and this MoU would help Vietnam in promoting use of technology and science to promote green, sustainable, and low emission agriculture. The US Green Council would also provide COVID-19 test kits and COVID-19 treatment drugs for Vietnamese livestock.
During the visit to US, Vietnamese president also met Vietnamese diaspora in New York to connect and exchange their views. He appreciated the role that the Vietnamese community has played regarding raising the issue of export of vaccines to Vietnam and raised funds for Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine fund. President appreciated the role played by the Vietnamese overseas community and stated that they comprise the extended family of the Vietnamese nation. He stated that the younger Vietnamese will be contributing to the development of the homeland with their knowledge and enthusiasm.
In his statement which he delivered during the UN General Assembly’s 76 session he acknowledged that with the reelection of Antonio Guterres as the UN Secretary General the organization will achieve the objectives and the priorities in the future. He further added that for protecting citizens and to sustain economic growth as well as ensuring social security there is a need for global corporation and effective approach. He stated that nontraditional security challenges are a threat for the humankind and issues such as diseases and climate change can change the future. He expressed concern that the global governance system and inequalities among nations have exposed the shortcomings and challenges in front of the global community. He alluded to the fact that tensions between major powers, unstable international system, and wars had been a major concern in the recent past. Without alluding to China, he stated that the disregard for international law and the unilateral acts of aggression has jeopardized the exercise of maritime legal rights for many littoral nations.
He stated that there is a need for effective countermeasures to contain coronavirus pandemic and there is a need for reinforcing global support for COVAX facility. This is necessary for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines and medications to the global South. He further added that countries which have low vaccination rate should be focused and necessary structural support should be provided. He indicated that because of this pandemic there is need to adapt to this scourge and the time has come for digital transformation and promoting self-reliance among economies.
He buttressed the fact that their need for pursuing green technologies, promoting sustainable development, and undertaking functional changes for promoting trade and investment. He mentioned that global supply change needs to be maintained and under the agenda of 2030 of the UN sustainable development goals provides the edifice for undertaking cooperative development, easing of the debt payments, and accelerating recovery after Corona. He was also apprehensive of the fact that the climate change might be instrumental in harsher weather conditions, pollution, and incremental rise of the sea level. He added that to meet the target cut in greenhouse gas emissions there is need for financial support, capacity building and technology transfer to the developing countries.
He stated with conviction that global peace security and stability is a perquisite for fostering global economic recovery and facilitating humanitarian assistance. He reinforced Vietnam’s commitment to the UN Charter and respect for the international law. He retreated Vietnam solidarity with Cuba and asked the international community to end the unilateral embargoes against Cuba. He stated that the need for justice for women and children in Afghanistan and establishment of independent Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel is critical.
He outlined Vietnam support to multilateralism and ask for more democratic an effective UN. He stated that in the 35 years of Vietnam’s economic reforms program (Doi Moi) there has been multiple changes in the country which helped the country toget integrated with the international community for its progress and equality. He added that Vietnam has been collaborating within ASEAN for peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the larger Asia Pacific. He acknowledged clearly that there is need for enforcing maritime security, freedom of navigation and over flight in South China Sea. While outlining the role that the Vietnam has placed as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2020-2021, he stated that Vietnam upholds the principle of partnership for sustainable peace. He indicated to the fact that Vietnam has been undertaking UN peacekeeping missions in Central African Republic and in South Sudan, and Vietnam is aspiring for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2023- 2025.
During his stay at the New York, President Phuc met President of the World Bank David Malpass as well as leaders of many countries such as President of the Republic of Korea, Danish Prime Minister, and President of Slovenia. Apart from high-level business leaders, he also met John Kerry who is the US Special Presidential envoy for climate. He expressed that there should be more focus on developing renewable energy, better management of transnational water resources, and undertaking effective measures for climate change mitigation.
While the visit of Vietnamese president has been short but highly effective as it engaged a wide variety of leaders and business entrepreneurs. Vietnam president has been very courteous in engaging the high-ranking leaders of Costa Rica, Colombia, Uruguay, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Latvia, Sweden, and many others.
