PM’s official visits help shape new vision for cooperation with Middle East–Africa

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang underlined the significance of the trip, scheduled for November 16–24, noting that it follows a period of dynamic high-level diplomatic engagement by Party and State leaders. She stressed that the visit carries major bilateral and multilateral importance.

South Africa is Africa's largest economy, the G20 Chair for 2025 and a key BRICS member; Algeria is a long-standing friend of Viet Nam and currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024–2025; and Kuwait will chair the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2025.

Viet Nam maintains strong friendship and effective cooperation with all three countries, with ties developing more substantively in recent years. Many Middle Eastern and African partners view Viet Nam as a successful model of innovation-driven development and a constructive, responsible member of the international community—an important foundation for strengthening political trust and shared values.

Nguyen said the Prime Minister's trip sends a clear message: Viet Nam attaches great importance to advancing relations with Middle Eastern and African partners. The visit is expected to usher in a new phase of more strategic, intensive and results-oriented cooperation. It also offers an opportunity to deepen ties with three strategic regional partners and help shape a long-term cooperation vision based on trust, sustainability and shared prosperity.

On the multilateral front, this is the second consecutive year Viet Nam has been invited to the G20 Summit—an affirmation of the country's rising international profile, development achievements and constructive contributions to global issues.

Participation in the summit will allow Viet Nam to reaffirm its consistent foreign policy of being a reliable international partner, ready to work collaboratively to address global challenges in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Prime Minister Pham is expected to draw on Viet Nam's experience as a fast-growing, reform-oriented economy to put forward proposals for a fair, inclusive and sustainable global economic order and governance system. He will also meet leaders of countries and international organizations to strengthen cooperation in green transition, digital transformation, innovation, strategic infrastructure and human resource development, helping mobilize external resources for Viet Nam's development priorities.

Regarding bilateral relations, Nguyen highlighted the solid political trust and long-standing friendships Viet Nam shares with South Africa, Algeria and Kuwait. South Africa is Viet Nam's first "Partnership for Cooperation and Development" in Africa; Kuwait was the first GCC nation to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam; and Algeria and Viet Nam have maintained 65 years of close ties.

Economic, trade and investment relations continue to grow. South Africa is Viet Nam's largest African trading partner; Kuwait is a major ODA and energy partner; and Algeria hosts one of Viet Nam's most successful overseas energy ventures—the Bir Seba oil and gas project operated by PVEP. Cooperation in defence, security, agriculture and biodiversity conservation is also progressing well.

The trip is expected to generate concrete outcomes: enhanced cooperation with South Africa in trade, investment, industry, mining, logistics, innovation and green supply chains; expanded collaboration with Algeria in energy, investment, trade, manufacturing, smart agriculture and education; and deepened ties with Kuwait in finance, trade, investment, energy, green infrastructure, food security, ODA and the Halal industry.

Viet Nam also seeks to establish priority corridors for capital, technology, goods and skilled labor, while promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in culture, education and labor.

Regarding Viet Nam's contributions to the G20 Summit, Nguyen said Prime Minister Pham will deliver key policy messages focused on promoting global economic recovery, reducing risks and strengthening cooperation in strategic fields such as critical minerals, energy, and reform of global trade, finance and investment systems.

Through these messages and initiatives, Viet Nam aims to demonstrate its determination to innovate and rise in the new development era, reinforcing its role as a trusted, proactive and responsible partner committed to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development for all./.