Deputy PM highlights ASEAN’s priorities at 50th WEF meeting
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh highlighted the theme and priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in 2020 while speaking at a plenary session of the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (second, right) at the session “Strategic Outlook: ASEAN” on January 21 (Photo courtesy of the World Economic Forum)
Davos (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Prime MinisterTruong Hoa Binh highlighted the theme and priorities of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in 2020 whilespeaking at a plenary session of the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting inDavos, Switzerland, on January 21.
At the “Strategic Outlook: ASEAN” session,Deputy PM Binh emphasised that ASEAN is a united and dynamic community of 10independent Southeast Asian states. Among them, Vietnam has an economic growthrate of over 6 percent over the last 20 years and is one of the fastest growingeconomies in the Asia-Pacific region and the world with an average annualgrowth pace of 7 percent in the last couple of years.
ASEAN is a strategic priority in Vietnam’sforeign policy, he affirmed, adding that the country chose the theme “Cohesiveand Responsive” for the year it holds the bloc’s chairmanship to respond to thecommon concern of the ASEAN members, who want to build a strong community amida fast changing world.
Binh stressed the bloc’s priorities, includingcontributing to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region;promoting regional connectivity, improving the adaptability to and making useof chances in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; enhancing community awarenessand ASEAN identity; and continuing to expand and intensify the bloc’s relationswith partners around the globe.
At the session, the Deputy PM also affirmed thatas ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United NationsSecurity Council for 2020-2021, Vietnam will strengthen cooperation betweenASEAN and the UN to actively contribute to regional and international peace andsecurity, promote the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, andboost ASEAN’s role and voice at other important multilateral forums, therebyhelping to uphold multilateralism and international cooperation in regional andglobal issues.
Deputy PM Binh is leading a high-rankingdelegation from Vietnam to attend the 50th WEF meeting in Davos.
Vietnam’s participation in the event aims topopularise the country’s achievements in socio-economic development andintegration into the world while introducing its major developmentorientations, policies and measures to other nations, partners and largebusinesses so as to encourage them to bolster cooperation with Vietnam.
The meeting sees the presence of nearly 3,000delegates from 117 countries, including 53 heads of states and governments,along with presidents and managing directors of 1,000 partner and member companies./.
Vietnam was placed 67th out of the 141 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report 2019, up 10 places compared to its 2018 ranking and also up 3.5 points, which are the fastest increases in the world.
One of the fastest economic growth rates in the region, the signing of free trade and investment protection deals with the EU, and the Politburo’s first-ever resolution on foreign investment attraction were among the top 10 economic events of Vietnam in 2019.
International media outlets have highlighted Vietnam’s thriving economy which is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia in 2019 amid the global economic slowdown.
While the world saw profound instability in 2019, the Pacific – Asia region proved to be the leading region in terms of economic integration, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has said.
A high-ranking delegation from Vietnam led by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh is attending the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, that opened on January 21.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (second, right) at the session “Strategic Outlook: ASEAN” on January 21 (Photo courtesy of the World Economic Forum) 
