Vietnam treasures cooperation with Japan
While visiting Japan, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan on May 21 had talks with the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, State Minister for National Strategy, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and leaders of other organisations and businesses.
During a talk with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Katsuya Okada, Deputy Prime Minister Nhan thanked the Japanese government for committing to Official Development Assistance (ODA) and cooperating with Vietnam in carrying out major projects, including the North-South express roadway and railway, and the Hoa Lac hi-tech industrial zone.
Mr. Nhan also expressed his gratitude to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for considering helping to research the feasibility of a project to build the Vietnam Cosmos Centre and, based on reports, Mr. Nhan proposed the Japanese government should continue to support Vietnam in this project.
Vietnam’s Deputy PM confirmed the country always attaches great importance to cooperation with Japan and as the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam wishes to promote a more cooperative relationship between ASEAN and Japan.
On his side, Minister Okada said in the spirit of carrying out the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), which has been in effect since October 2009, the trade and investment relations between the two countries will continue to develop quickly and effectively.
The two countries agreed to cooperate on big projects and Mr. Okada affirmed their supervision and deployment to meet the expectations of both sides.
Vietnam attends the 16th Future of Asia Forum
The 16th Future Asia Forum opened in Tokyo on May 20 with the participation of ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan, Asian leaders, regional economists and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.
At the opening ceremony, Nikkei Inc CEO Tsuneo Kita emphasised that to help the Asian economy rebound, regional countries should continue to co-operate with each on another and with those outside the region.
Participant in the forum will discuss four main issues: the way to sustainable growth in Asia, the possibility of signing a new green agreement, new orientation for free trade agreements and driving forces and challenges for security in the Asia-Pacific region.
On the afternoon of May 20, deputy PM Nhan will deliver a speech at the first working session entitled “Asian economy: the way to sustainable growth.
Vietnam joins 20th Global Women Summit
A Vietnamese delegation led by State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan participated in the 20th Global Summit of Women (GSW), which opened in Beijing, China, on May 20.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vietnamese representative said that since the GSW was set up in 1990, the struggle for the advancement of women in the world has seen encouraging results, including achievements gained during the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Platform and Action Programme towards the Millennium Development Goals and the increasing role of the global women summits.
However, over the years, women have still been a vulnerable group to global issues such as diseases, economic crisis, climate change, energy and cooking security, Ms. Doan said, adding that ensuring gender equality and improving women’s role are facing a lot of challenges in a changing world.
She applauded this summit’s theme of “Women at the Forefront of Change”, saying that the theme not only places women as a priority in all changes of the global life but also affirms their decisive role in addressing international issues and helping create every positive change for a more peaceful, prosperous and beautiful world.
The Vice President affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always attach importance to gender equality and create favourable conditions for women to participate in all aspects of the society.
Vietnam has gained encouraging achievements in ensuring women’s rights. In 2009, the Vietnamese National Assembly passed the Law on Gender Equality, marking a gigantic progress in the position on the role of women for the national development.
Also in the year, the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assessed Vietnam as one of the leading countries making progress in gender equality, recording the most rapid change in removing the gender gap in Southeast Asia over the past 20 years.
On the occasion, Doan suggested the summit continue strengthening its consultative role for international organisations, especially the UN, and raising its voice at international forums on women’s issues while proposing measures to connect women in countries.
Also at the opening ceremony, GSW President Irene Natividad called on women throughout the world, particularly female young people, to promote their activeness in recovering the world economy in the post-crisis period.
Drawing the participation of over 1,370 outstanding women from 80 countries and territories, the three-day summit will focus on discussing major topics such as “Looking towards changes for women through cooperation and partnership”, “Major trends of the post-crisis period”, and “Government’s orientations for women”.
During the event, there will also be symposia for female ministers, mayors and business leaders
Statue of President Ho Chi Minh unveiled in Mexico
A statue of the late Ho Chi Minh was unveiled on Miguel Aleman Avenue in Acapulco city on May 19 to celebrate Vietnamese President’s 120th birth anniversary and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Mexico diplomatic ties.
At the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Van Que expressed his thanks to the city’s administration and people for erecting the statue and called it a gesture of goodwill that will promote the cooperation between the two countries, especially in tourism, trade, and culture.
Acapulco Mayor Manuel Banorve Banos noted President Ho Chi Minh’s crucial role in Vietnam’s struggle for national independence, and his pre-eminent in world history.
“In addition to Mexico’s hero Benito Juarez, Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar, and Cuba’s Jose Marti, we now have President Ho Chi Minh in the heart of the city,” he said.
On the same day, the Vietnamese Ambassador and Acapulco’s Mayor signed a Memorandum of understanding on the fraternalisation of the cities of Acapulco and Ha Long.
ASEAN Preparatory Senior Labour Meeting opens in Hanoi
The ASEAN preparatory Senior Labour Meeting (PreSLOM) opened in Hanoi on May 20 on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN Labour Ministerial Meeting (ALMM).
Participants will evaluate the results of what they achieved since the previous meeting in Vientiane, Laos, especially in the implementation of priority targets, a master plan to help the socio-cultural community with the human resource development, sustainable career development and measures to cope with the impact of globalization on jobs.
The two-day meeting will discuss ministers’ proposals on policies, action plan and other contents for the upcoming ALMM.
Vietnam’s report on MDGs praised at ESCAP
Vietnam’s achievements in the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with a focus on green development, have been applauded by delegates at the 66th session of the UN Economic-Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The three-day meeting, held in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, was attended by representatives of 62 official and associate members. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Doan Xuan Hung.
Reports at the meeting showed that Vietnam is taking the lead in Asia-Pacific in terms of the number of MDGs that have been carried out on schedule and is the first Southeast Asian country to build up policy on fee payment for ecosystem-related services.
The Vietnamese delegation asked the UN and international community to increase assistance to regional countries in recovering and stabilising the macro economy, boosting growth and ensuring social welfare.
Participants agreed that since mid-2009, regional economy has recovered positively, posting a growth rate of 4 percent, the highest level compared to other regions in the world.
The implementation of MDGs has made remarkable achievements, helping millions of people escape from poverty. However, high inflation and unemployment rates and unstable financial market are still challenges to all countries in the region.
The session recommended increased resources for MDGs’ implementation, ensuring social welfare, strengthening regional connection on economy, trade, transport, information technology, finance and promoting green development.
PV
