Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam's Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on May 26 attendedand delivered his remarks at the 27th International Conference on the Future ofAsia in Tokyo, Japan.
The following is the full text of the remarks.
Mr. Tsuyoshi HASEBE, President and CEO of Nikkei Inc.
Distinguishedleaders,
Ladiesand gentlemen,
I am greatly honored toaddress the 27th InternationalConference on The Future of Asia, under the theme of "Redefining Asia's role in a dividedworld". I applaud Nikkei's initiative to convene thisConference, which provides a prestigious forum for policy exchanges,contributing to strengthening regional cooperation, and fulfilling the goal ofprosperity and development for this continent and the world at large.
Asiaamidst historical and profound changes
Ladiesand gentlemen,
- First, the4th Industrial Revolution haspaved the way for a new development chapter for mankind, providing ampleopportunities for breakthrough developments. Such is the digital era. Theglobal economy is undergoing a fundamental transition, with novel economicmodels. The space for the global economy has been expanded to an unprecedentedscale. Reform and innovation are prominent, with a new mindset and model fordevelopment, business and management that are closely associated with thedigital economy, and sustainable, inclusive, green and balanced growth.
On the other hand, the 4th Industrial Revolution has alsobrought about new and multidimensional challenges, from the wideningdevelopment gap, the risk of being outdated and inequality to other socialissues. Development challenges are increasingly prevalent, and are global innature.
- Second, while peace,cooperation, connectivity and development remain the prevailing trends, we arecurrently faced with increasing strategic competition, internal conflicts, andthe risk of division and confrontation. On the one hand,multi-level linkages are increasingly expanded in depth and breadth, rangingfrom FTAs to economic and trade ties to digital economy and digital technology.On the other hand, geostrategic and geopolitical competition are intensifyingacross multiple areas, protectionism is increasing, and present circumstancesare becoming more unstable and unpredictable.
- Third, the presentbalance of power is rapidly shifting towards a multicentre model, in which Asiawill continue to be an integral economic, political and technological hub in theworld. As our region enjoys the harmonious resonance of fundamentalglobal values, and constitutes the intersection of trade flows, capital flows,infrastructures and peoples, Asia thus possesses important foundations forgrowth. The 21st century is alsoconsidered to be the "Asian Century."
- Fourth, the COVID-19pandemic has brought about a global crisis, causing far-reaching consequencesat national, regional and international level, and accelerating major shiftswhich had emerged since the 2008 - 2009 crisis.
The pandemic has exposed systematic issues facing Asia,such as development gap, institution, infrastructure, technology, and supplychain. There are also management, healthcare and social challenges, naturaldisaster, environmental pollution, and climate change. In addition, thepandemic has also forced us to review our development mindset, with greaterpriority given to new and sustainable development drivers, among which digitaltransformation and green transition are key factors.
These trends and challenges have fostered new drivers tounite Asia in offering a collective response.
🧔 It can be said that the next 10 to 20 years constitute acritical period for the transition in Asia and the world as a whole.
Inthis context, the Conference today provides a great opportunity to exchangeviews on Asia's role in a turbulent world.
Asia'sresponsibilities in the evolving situation
Ladiesand gentlemen,
For over nearly three decades since the firstInternational Conference on The Future of Asia, our continent has witnessed amyriad of profound challenges and shifts, particularly the regional financialcrisis in 1997 - 1998, the global economic and financial crisis in 2008 - 2009,and the COVID-19 pandemic. After each crisis, Asia not only managed tocollectively overcome all hurdles, but also emerged ever stronger. According tothe forecast between now and 2030, our region will continue to be thefastest-growing area, and our share in the global GDP will increase from 45% to over 50%.
At present, the most important question at hand is: Whatshould Asian countries do to bolster cooperation, maintain regional prosperity,and elevate Asia's role in global efforts toward recovery and development?
To that end, I wish to raise the following points:
First and foremost, Asia needs to play a greaterrole in maintaining and fostering a peaceful and stable environment conduciveto development and prosperity in the region and beyond, on the shared basis ofcooperation, understanding, trust and responsibility. Through the lessonsaccumulated over the past 75 years, it can be affirmed that development,independence, and economic self-reliance cannot be achieved withoutsafeguarding peace, stability and cooperation.
Ensuring a peaceful environment in Asia over the pastyears was not a simple accomplishment. Such peace owed much to the resolve,unity and joint efforts of all nations in the region. Peace always remains asthe prerequisite for the development of all countries, and lays the solidgroundwork for cooperation across the board, from politic and economic ties tosocio-cultural collaboration within Asia, and between Asia and other partnersworldwide.
As the region and the world are focusing resources onaddressing urgent and unprecedented obstacles, countries ought to, above allelse, make responsible contributions to these joint efforts. It is necessary touphold mutual respect, and engage in fair and mutually beneficial cooperation.
In the region, territorial disputes at sea continue tothreaten peace and security. Regarding the East Sea, or the South China Sea, it isnecessary to peacefully settle disputes and conflicts in line with the rule oflaw, particularly the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Countries also need to buildupon multilateral cooperation arrangements, fully and effectively implement theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and striveto complete a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea(COC) that is in line with international law, so as to maintain peace,cooperation, and freedom of navigation and overflight in theregion.
Second, more than ever before, Asia needs to be apioneer in upholding multilateralism, and promoting cooperation in an open,inclusive, fair, sustainable and rules-based manner. We need to adopt a globalapproach to resolve increasingly urgent global issues. We need to bolstercooperation and build trust among Asian countries, and enhance our resilienceand responsiveness amid rapid changes. At this juncture, all countries need toput aside differences and stand united to support each other.
Accordingly, more than ever before, we need to enhancethe complementary nature of regional cooperation arrangements and linkages, andestablish a grid of regional networks.
Only by sharing common objectives and standingshoulder-to-shoulder in taking bold action can we overcome challenges andyielded excellent effectiveness in our collaboration. This is the consistentposition of ASEAN countries, and has been realized by ASEAN's active efforts inbolstering its partnerships and ties, and upholding its centrality in itsrelations with major powers within and outside the region, so as to contributeto ensuring peace, security, stability, cooperation and development, andaddressing global development challenges.
In this globalization era, the establishment of aself-reliant economy does not mean fostering a closed economy. On the contrary,this entails creating an open and integrated market economy that is closelyassociated with the world, with a view to harmoniously harnessing domestic andexternal resources. The effective implementation of free trade agreements, suchas the CPTPP, RCEP, and other cooperation frameworks, will create more driversof economic recovery and growth in Asia and the world. In addition, in order tomake the most of opportunities provided by regional connectivity, countriesneed to put in place and further improve a system of strategic infrastructure,such as seaports, logistics, roads, and flight routes. It is also necessary tostep up people-to-people exchange via the promotion of tourism andsocio-cultural ties.
We do hope that international financial organizationswill continue to support Asian countries in terms of capital, wisdom, andcapacity building in these processes.
Third, we need to work closely together to ensurethe necessary foundation for growth recovery in all countries and Asia atlarge, thereby ensuring Asia's role as a key driver for globaldevelopment. Asiais the largest regional economy in the world, and the convergence of regionaleconomic networks and FTAs. As Asia enjoys the harmonious resonance offundamental global values, and constitutes the intersection of trade flows,capital flows, infrastructures and peoples, this region thus possessesimportant foundations for growth.
Asia also enjoys a myriad of advantages, as it is aself-reliant and innovative region that is united in diversity, withcomplementary economies of great potential in terms of technology and capital.It also encompasses both large-scale and emerging economies, with a youngworkforce and long-term development prospect.
To this end, we need to step up national developmentefforts and bolster cooperation to address emerging challenges, restoreregional and international supply chains, establish a self-reliant economy thatis closely associated with international integration and resilient againstexternal shocks. We should also coordinate to tackle emerging globalchallenges.
Fourth, as a region leading in digitaltechnology and transformation, Asia needs to take the lead in creating andpromoting new drivers for growth. Stepping up cooperation inscience-technology, digital technology, including the development of digitalgovernment, digital economy, and digital society, will drive the growth of Asiain the post-pandemic period. Advancing green, sustainable development, andmobilizing green finance for development, with a view to ensuring fairness andjustice in green transformation, will enable the economies of countries and theregion to grow in an ecologically balanced manner and address issues related tothe environment and climate change. We must cooperate and transfer technologyto realize a net-zero growth model and sustainably manage natural resources.
We need to encourage entrepreneurship, manage risks, andbuild incubators for innovative and breakthrough initiatives and ideas. The SMEsector should be given more attention and favorable conditions in terms ofinstitution, resources, and capacity. This will allow the sector to become arobust driver for internal power, in addition to the State's resources andforeign capital inflow.
Fifth, Asia needs to enhance integration andconnectivity with other regions and key partners in the world. The recent success indevelopment has shown that a network of multi-center and multi-level linkagesis one of the instrumental factors contributing to Asia's dynamic and resilientgrowth.
We should step up cooperation, integration and economiclinkages in an equitable and effective manner across bilateral and multilateralchannels in order to ensure the flow of trade and investment, and global supplychains. The post-pandemic recovery of Asia will depend greatly on the abilityto maintain trade and investment within the bloc as well as with other regions.
Japan'srole in the new century and the potential of Vietnam– Japan relations
Ladiesand gentlemen,
As a leading economy of the world, a top market andinvestor of the region, Japan's development plays a tremendously important rolein Asia's prosperity. Japan's road to peaceful development is one of the indispensableand constructive elements contributing to peace and stability in the region.Japan has pioneered initiatives and is a pivotal link in regional and globaleconomic linkages and value chains. Japan's ODA, cooperation inscience-technology, infrastructure, and human resources have been an effectiveassistance to other countries.
Japan is among the leading countries in digitaltransformation, green transformation, supply chain recovery, and cooperation intrade and investment. We welcome the initiative from Prime Minister FumioKishida's administration to invest in ASEAN, focusing on supply chain,connectivity, digital innovation and human resources.
Given its potential and contributions, Japan has proveddeserving of a greater role in Asia and the world.
Vietnam and Japan are extensive, trusted strategic partners of oneanother. Over nearly 50 years, both sides have made efforts to achieveoutstanding growth in bilateral ties. Vietnam and Japan also share manyinterests. The two sides enjoy great potential in terms of complementarity andmutual support, and shared interests in maintaining peace, stability, andadvancing cooperation, connectivity, and sustainable development in Asia andthe world.
Vietnam's vision and development policy
Ladiesand gentlemen,
Vietnam has stepped into anew strategic era of comprehensive reforms and actively taken part in the 4th Industrial Revolution andextensive international integration. With high aspirations, by 2025, Vietnamstrives to be a developing country with a modern industrial base, havinggraduated from the low-middle income group. By 2030, Vietnam aims to be amodern industrialized developing country with upper-middle income, and by 2045,a developed country with high income.
In terms of directions for nationaldevelopment, firstly, Vietnampursues rapid and sustainable development on the basis of science, technology,innovation, and digital transformation, and a green, circular, andenvironment-friendly economy. Secondly,the people are regarded as the center, subject, goal and driver fordevelopment. Thirdly, Vietnamstrives for a progressive and fair society, and a healthy and civilizedcultural environment and social morality.
Desiring to realize an environment of peace and stabilityin Asia and the world, Vietnam enacts the foreign policy of independence,self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of relations, proactiveinternational integration, and seeks to uphold multilateralism. Vietnamcontinues to be a friend and reliable partner, an active and responsible memberof the international community. Vietnam has made a very strong commitment atthe COP26 in order to share in the responsibility of green and sustainabledevelopment. As the world is facing challenges in food security, Vietnamcontinues to maintain and bolster the production of agricultural and foodproducts.
Ladiesand gentlemen,
The world is at a turning point, and the decision oftoday will shape the next chapter in our development. I am confident that,given its tremendous potential, Asia will play a greater role to overcomechallenges and make due contributions to peace and prosperity in the region andthe world, for the bright future of each country and people in the region andthe world.
Iwish our Conference every success.
Arigatougozaimasu./.
