Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the high-level opening session of the the third Voice of Global South Summit online. Photo: VOV

The Vietnamese PM delivered a keynote speech at the third Voice of Global South Summit held in a virtual format in India on Saturday. The opening ceremony was chaired by Indian PM Narendra Modi and attended by 20 presidents, prime ministers and senior leaders of developing countries who discussed the topic “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”.

In his address, Prime Minister Chinh stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in the spirit of solidarity and unity in diversity to jointly seize opportunities, overcome challenges, resolve difficulties and work towards a sustainable, prosperous future for all countries.

He proposed that southern states promote more effectively and substantially the reform process of the regional and global governance institutions, with the key being reforming the UN for more democratic and effective operation, consolidating the multilateral trade system with the WTO at its center, and minimizing trade barrier and unfair competition.

He called for efforts to mobilize and effectively use all social resources to successfully realize the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs); develop green economy, digital economy, and circular economy. It’s necessary to promote new drivers for growth, especially in science and technology, innovation and startups; continue to strongly bolster trade and investment, build South-South science and technology markets, PM Chinh said.

The Voice of Global South Summit, an initiative of India, rooted in the vision of "together with all, development for all, the trust of all" launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and supported by India's philosophy "the world is one family".

India has invited Vietnam to the Summit for the third consecutive time for Vietnam's increasing role, position and international reputation in participating and contributing responsibly to global multilateral mechanisms.