Vietnam makes active contributions to AEM-54, related meetings
The Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien contributed constructive ideas to strengthen economic cooperation among ASEAN member states and between them with their partners at the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-54) and related meetings in Cambodia last week.
Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak (R) speaks at press conference announcing the outcomes of AEM-54 and related meetings (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese delegation led by Minister ofIndustry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien contributed constructive ideas tostrengthen economic cooperation among ASEAN member states and between them withtheir partners at the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-54)and related meetings in Cambodia last week.
The delegation highlighted key issues that ASEAN countriesneed to focus on during negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), addressnon-tariff barriers in ASEAN countries and boost the implementation of tradefacilitation measures to promote intra-bloc trade; while making proposals oneconomic cooperation orientations between ASEAN and its partners to ensurepractical benefits for Vietnamese and ASEAN businesses, thus contributing tothe post-pandemic economic recovery process.
The delegation also showed support for host Cambodia’sinitiatives towards economic integration in ASEAN and between the bloc with itspartners, and committed to work with other member states to fulfil the workingprogramme agreed by all of them.
Within the framework of the AEM-54, the Vietnamesedelegation chaired the 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam EconomicMinisters' Meeting (CLMV-EMM 14), during which the CLMV Action Plan for the2023-2024 period and another for implementing the CLMV Development Frameworkwere approved.
Minister Dien also had working sessions with Cambodian Minister of Commerce PanSorasak, Lao Minister of Industry and Trade Malaythong Kommasith, and TimorLeste Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry Jose Lucas da Silva.
An overview of the press conference (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at a press conference announcing the outcomes ofthe events on September 18 evening, Pan Sorasak stated that this ASEAN EconomicMinisters’ Meeting aimed to continue perfecting the working programme on thebuilding of the ASEAN Economic Community during Cambodia's 2022 ASEAN Chairmanshipyear with the slogan of “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”.
Cambodia is looking to fulfil the remaining 14 out of 19 economic priorities set for thisyear to help ASEAN create a strong foundation in digital connectivity, scienceand technology, narrowing the development and competitiveness gap among membercountries, increasing the bloc’s resilience and competitiveness, and promotinginclusive integration, as well as growth and development of the bloc, he said.
The AEM-54 and related meetings took place in Siem Reapprovince from September 11-18./.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed the importance of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the current world situation during his talks with his Lao counterpart Malaythong Kommasith on September 14.
Economic ministers of ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea (RoK) discussed the directions of negotiations for the upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) during their consultation meeting in Siam Reap, Cambodia, on September 16 within the framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-54).
The CLMV Action Plan for the 2023-2024 period was approved at the 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV-EMM 14), which took place on September 16 in the framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM-54) in Cambodia's Siem Reap province under the chair of Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.
Economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partners held consultations on September 17 - 18 as part of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-54) and related meetings in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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.
Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak (R) speaks at press conference announcing the outcomes of AEM-54 and related meetings (Photo: VNA) 
An overview of the press conference (Photo: VNA) 
