How Viet Nam protects national interests while contributing to global peace, stability and prosperity

The panel discussion drew the participation of EU Commissioner Josef Síkela, Vice President of Ghana Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia Diana Marcela Morales Roja, and President of the European Investment Bank Nadia Calvino.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son shared that the world has experienced significant transformations as evidenced by profound changes in international relations, balance of power among major countries, and intensifying non-traditional challenges like climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats.

The global economy itself is changing course. Economic fragmentation and protectionism are deepening. Global supply chains become more regionalized. Science-technology has become a key driver for green growth and sustainable development, he noted.

Global institutions are under evermore pressure to reform. Some existing mechanisms no longer accurately reflect the emerging distribution of power, and there is rising demand for a stronger voice from developing countries. However, multilateral institutions remain essential for managing global interdependence and addressing common challenges related to security and sustainable development.

He went on to say that social challenges are amplifying uncertainty across regions. Widening inequality, environmental degradation, and unequal access to the benefits of technology are eroding trust within and between societies. These issues, if left unaddressed, could deepen polarization and undermine global stability.

Given the backdrop, "Viet Nam has managed pretty well and have been working hard to adapt to the new reality, while staying focused on our highest goal: maintaining peace, stability, and favorable conditions for national development. We are determined to build a solid foundation for Viet Nam to enter a new era of growth," emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.

Bui reassured Viet Nam's unwavering commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, upholding international law and the United Nations Charter, actively participating in peacekeeping operations, advancing sustainable development, ensuring peace, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation.

Viet Nam remains steadfast to its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of external relations, being a friend, trusted partner, and responsible member of the international community, affirmed the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Southeast Asian nation is doubling efforts to accelerate green economy, global integration, and diversification of markets while promoting science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as a new growth driver, he said.

At the same time, Viet Nam is expanding partnerships across all fields, strengthening resilience against external shocks, investing heavily in science and technology in a bid to become an upper middle-income country with modern industrial base by 2030 and a high-income, developed country by 2045, Bui added.

He emphasized that Viet Nam is resolved to remain firmly independent, act responsibly and engage constructively with all partners, emphasizing that this is Viet Nam's approach to protect national interests while contributing to peace, stability and prosperity on the globe./.