Vietnam puts forwards cooperation initiatives at Voice of Global South Summit

In his speech, Chinh pointed to the fact that the world is undergoing unprecedented complex changes, along with profound transformations in both nature and humans.

According to the Vietnamese leader, the rapid development of science and technology and the fourth industrial revolution are fundamentally changing the way of production, business, consumption, as well as the way the world operates and develops, alongside changes occurring in human behaviour around the world.

Non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, population aging, resource depletion, and cyber security are all becoming increasingly complex, particularly as these issues regularly and directly impact the security and development of every country.

Amid this context, he called on all countries in the Global South to share a common vision, and a global, comprehensive, and inclusive approach to address these challenges.

More than ever, countries in the South need to strengthen cooperation in the spirit of solidarity and unity in diversity to jointly seize upon opportunities, overcome challenges, resolve difficulties, and move towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all countries, he stressed.

He proposed that countries carry out the reform process of regional and global governance institutions more effectively and substantially, with a specific focus on reforming the UN to be more democratic and effective, while strengthening the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation in the centre to minimise trade barriers and unfair competition.

He stressed the importance of promoting the mobilisation and effective use of all social resources to successfully implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The countries must foster a pioneering role in ensuring food security, environmental protection, natural disaster prevention, and climate change adaptation, while developing a green economy, digital economy, and circular economy on the basis of ensuring the principles of equal access, fairness, autonomy, and self-reliance, he said.

The Vietnamese PM called for more practical and effective support from the international community, especially developed countries, in terms of finance, technology, human resource training and administration for developing countries.

He outlined that countries should work to promote new growth drivers, especially science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, considering these to be the focus of all cooperation mechanisms and initiatives.

It is necessary to continue to strongly promote South-South trade and investment, step up the construction of South-South science and technology markets, and develop an innovation ecosystem, connecting the state, schools, and businesses, as well as regions to make them operate effectively and substantively, he noted.

In his opening speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the importance and contribution of the summit to the G20 agenda following the recent admission of the African Union to the G20 as a permanent member.

Amidst global challenges, Modi said strengthening solidarity among Southern economies is of great importance to fostering global growth. He called on countries to chart a common direction and share resources as a means of turning goals into reality.

At the event, heads of state and government affirmed their commitment to the global multilateral system and international law. They stressed the need to increase international solidarity and cooperation, whilst also promoting the reform of multilateral mechanisms by strengthening the voice of developing countries and ensuring people-centered principles.

They also recommended accelerating the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through increasing financial resources, sharing development experiences and digital transformation, developing the private economic sector, and ramping up technological linkages.

Themed “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”, VOGSS 2024 brought together leaders and ministers of more than 100 countries in the Global South to discuss a range of complex challenges which continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises, and climate change.

Alongside the Leaders’ Session, there were 10 Ministerial Sessions, with the participation of ministers in charge of foreign affairs, health, youth, trade, information & technology, energy, education, and environment.

This is the third consecutive time that India has invited Vietnam to attend the gathering, showing the country’s increasing role, position, and reputation in engaging and contributing responsibly to global multilateral mechanisms.