The Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Bangkok, Thailand today after attending the 2012 World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia. Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh granted an interview to the press to discuss Vietnam’s contributions to this year’s forum.
Q: Would you please say about the significance of Vietnam’s participation in the 2012 WEF on East Asia?
A: The WEF is one of the most prestigious international forums which proposes important initiatives and solutions for economic development in the region and the world. The annual WEF on East Asia has created a forum for East Asian countries and international delegates to discuss ways to further socio-economic development and regional co-operation and connectivity, as well as measures to deal with emerging challenges.
Through the forum, East Asia countries have the opportunity to promote their image and potential to the international community, particularly to the more than 1,000 WEF member enterprises and groups.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung speaks at the 2012 forum.
The theme of the 2012 forum, ‘Shaping the Region’s Future through Connectivity’, is considered a sound subject for the current situation as East Asian countries are prioritising regional co-operation and connectivity to support dynamic growth and development in the region.
The forum attracted the participation of many government leaders in the region including the Prime Ministers of Laos and Thailand and the President of Indonesia, as well as the General Directors of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), along with over 600 politicians, business leaders and international scholars from 50 countries across the world.
Vietnam’s participation in the forum aimed to demonstrate the country’s policy to actively take part in international integration and accelerate co-operation and connectivity in the East Asia, especially economic and commercial connectivity, in order to maintain a peaceful environment in the region.
At the forum, Vietnam had the chance to introduce the country’s policies to the international community, as well as its development potential and investment opportunities. Several issues discussed at the forum also had practical significance for Vietnam including models for development in East Asia after the global financial crisis, the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and responses to global challenges and risks
Q: What can you say about the outcome of the Vietnamese delegation’s attendance at the WEF?
A: The participation of PM Dung and the Vietnamese delegation was highly appreciated and contributed to the forum’s success, as well as peace, stability and development in the region.
PM Dung shared Vietnam’s perspectives on the new challenges and opportunities in shaping East Asia’s future through connectivity. PM Dung also met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman, Klaus Schwab, on the sidelines of the forum.
During those meetings, the Vietnamese leader discussed the country’s socio-economic situation and its commitment to international integration through actively participating in building the ASEAN community, as well as other co-operative mechanisms and frameworks in Southeast Asia and the world.
PM Dung presented a number of ideas and important suggestions that affirmed regional co-operation and connectivity as a significant factor in creating momentum for socio-economic development in East Asia and contributing to the region’s dynamism.
According to PM Dung, regional countries should synchronise their own policies, regulations and procedures with those of economic connectivity projects; promote connectivity frameworks within which ASEAN plays a central role, including the ASEAN+1, ASEAN +3 and East Asia Summit meetings; and promote co-operation, particularly in the Mekong sub-region.
The leader also stated that regional countries should enhance their adaptation to regional co-operation and connectivity by preventing trade protectionism and economic risks to avoid financial and monetary crises, in addition to boosting trade ties and responding effectively to challenges such as climate change, natural disasters and water, energy and food security.
PM Dung emphasised the necessity of ensuring peace, stability, and development in the region, as well as security, maritime safety and freedom in the East Sea; resolving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; and strictly following the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea while working towards developing an official Code of Conduct.
Q: Thank you very much.
