Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (5th from right), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (4th from right) and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab (3rd from right) and heads of delegations pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)

In 2018, Vietnam took advantage of multilateral mechanisms to protect its own rights and interests as well as jointly addressed the international community’s challenges.

New stature

Last year Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy was broadened and deepened, especially following Vietnam’s hosting of World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN 2018).  WEF President Borge Brende said the event was a success: “This was the 27^th summit on ASEAN and it has been a remarkable summit. Vietnam is moving very fast and growing very fast. This has been an incredible journey. We ‘ve also seen a lot of interests from global businesses to come here. I was very pleased with the summit and the cooperation with Vietnam. The organizing committee was outstanding.”

Through the World Economic Forum on ASEAN, Vietnam once again showed the world that it is an active member which leads in the connectivity between ASEAN and the outside partners. Vice President of the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific Victoria Kwakwa said: “Vietnam is an important member of ASEAN. Vietnam is one the largest ASEAN countries. Vietnam is very innovative and entrepreneurial. As you can see the start-up culture is really taking off. Vietnam has talent in its use of science and technology. So I think there’s a lot that Vietnam can bring to ASEAN.”

Vietnam’s role has increased as it was elected member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and invited to the G7 Summit last year.

Confident integration

Vietnam is confident in taking international responsibilities, including its candidacy for non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 period. The country was a non-permanent member of the Council from 2008 to 2009. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “This is both our opportunity and challenge, meeting other countries’ expectations. If elected, Vietnam should be more active than in the previous term. It means we not only care about our own problems but also responsibly take part in global issues, particularly those related to security, peace, and war all over the world.”

International conference “Vietnam and the UN Security Council: Towards election and membership for 2020-2021 in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam has joined the UN peacekeeping mission and deployed a level 2 field hospital to South Sudan.  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh said: “Other countries have high expectation for Vietnam’s participation. People in conflict zones said they believe in Vietnamese soldiers, whose country has a glorious history of national defense. Vietnam’s peacekeeping activities are much appreciated.”

Vietnam will assume ASEAN’s rotating chair in 2020. With its foreign policy achievements, Vietnam will confidently advance on its path of global integration and co-development with the international community.