Kazan (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underlined the importance of comprehensive and people-centred approaches to addressing current global issues, while speaking at the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 24.

The Vietnamese leader noted that the world is entering an era of profound integration with the emergence of smart technology and innovation. However, it also faces unprecedented challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, population ageing, geopolitical instability, increasing conflicts, inequality and division.

The PM said current global issues require global and comprehensive approaches with people at the core, as well as multilateralism and international solidarity.

Building a world order based on rules, shared responsibility, and principled actions is key to achieving peace, cooperation and development, he added.

Stressing the role of BRICS in strong cooperation and development among countries, the PM proposed five strategic connections to contribute to the bloc’s efforts for a better world.

These include connections of resources to adapt to climate change and foster green, digital and circular economies while ensuring food, energy and information security, particularly with BRICS’ growing economic power.

Meanwhile, he said that connections in strategic infrastructure between BRICS and developing countries should go beyond railway, road, aviation and maritime ones but also digital infrastructure and data sharing to promote the global digital economy.

Connections of global supply chains based on science, technology and innovation will create new drivers for economic growth and expand development opportunities for every country, while also diversifying production, products and markets.

People connections through culture, education, tourism, and exchanges will help foster "unity in diversity", where different values are respected and shared values are enhanced.

Finally, he said that connections in the reform of global governance mechanisms towards greater linkages, balance, equality, efficiency, inclusivity, and comprehensiveness are key to fast and sustainable development.

PM Chinh also emphasised the need for proactive and effective engagement in shaping global rules and standards, especially in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

BRICS should also take a stronger stance against protectionism and the politicisation of trade, economic, investment, science-technology and innovation relations.

Sharing Vietnam's development lessons, the PM reiterated that connection and integration for global development is the country’s consistent approach, which places people at the core.

Social progress and equity, and environmental protection should not be sacrificed for mere economic growth, he added.

Vietnam adheres to its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralism and diversification of relations, and being a good friend, reliable partner and active, responsible member of the international community.

The country has a “four no’s” defence policy with no participation in military alliances, no partnering with one country against another, no foreign military bases in or use of the Vietnamese territory against other countries, and no threat to use or use of force in international relations, he said.

ꦆ The expanded summit gathered more than 40 leaders of BRICS member countries, guest countries representing developing nations around the world, and international organisations./.