VOV introduces an article featuring these activities by Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet.

In 2022, the global situation continued to see unpredictable and complicated developments, including competition among major countries, conflicts, disputes, and instability occurring in many regions, coupled with the sharp emergence of non-traditional security challenges. All of these things combined to pose fresh challenges to multilateralism, as well as the security and development interests of nations, especially small and medium-sized countries.

This situation thereby adversely impacted the capacity and operational efficiency of multilateral institutions in many ways, even leading to conflicts, divisions, and confrontational views.

In this situation, countries both large or small are becoming increasingly aware of the important role of multilateral co-operation and the need to reinforce international solidarity and build ties to solve urgent global issues.

Through the close attention and direction of senior leaders, as well as the joint efforts and consensus of the entire political system, Vietnamese multilateral foreign affairs have recorded several tremendous achievements to contribute to the national cause of Doi Moi (Renewal) process and comprehensive international integration.

Diplomacy highlights in 2022

Over the past year, Party, State, and NA leaders participated in many leading important multilateral activities, thereby strongly conveying a message of a peace-loving, justice-loving, dynamic, and innovative Vietnam.

The major highlights included the attendance of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) in November, 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at the ASEAN-US Special Summit in May, 2022, the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in November, 2022, and the ASEAN-EU Summit in December, 2022.

This is addition to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s attendance at the 43rd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43) in November, 2022, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s attendance at the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA 6) in November, 2022, and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh’s attendance at the High-Level General Discussion session of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in September, 2022.

Last year, with its position, international prestige, and remarkable contributions made at multilateral forums, the country was a trusted member of the international community and was duly elected to many important mechanisms such as Vice President of the UN General Assembly's 77th session, the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023 to 2025 term, and the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022 to 2026 term.

Vietnam also continued to perform its responsibilities as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2021 to 2023 term, the UNESCO Executive Council for the 2021 to 2025 term, the International Law Commission (ILC) for the of 2023 to 2027 term, the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) for the 2019 to 2025 term, and a number of other specialised agencies.

In those roles and at all forums, the country made many proactive, active, and responsible contributions, thereby upholding the observance of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law to protect national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Furthermore, the past year has seen the nation effectively utilise multilateral co-operation mechanisms, forums, and frameworks to serve requirements and contribute to the country's continued socio-economic development efforts.

The country accelerated the implementation of the Vietnam - UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Strategic Framework for the 2022 to 2026 period and sub-regional co-operation mechanisms, while effectively carrying out the new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed, especially  the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU - Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), and  the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Vietnam proposed a range of ideas and initiatives aimed at strengthening ties and supply chain connectivity within the framework of ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, and the OECD. It continued to advocate for the COVAX mechanism to provide COVID-19 vaccines and was duly selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a technology transfer country for mRNA vaccine production.

The nation, together with G7 countries and international partners, moved to adopt the Political Declaration on the establishment of a Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which is of great significance as it contributes to mobilising resources both in terms of finance and technology for Vietnam to make the energy transition towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Orientations for promoting multilateral diplomacy

This year represents an important milestone in terms of continuing to implement Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and review the five years of implementation of Directive 25 of the Secretariat on promoting multilateral external relations.

Vietnam is in a new strategic period as it seeks to realise its aspiration to become a modern industrial country by 2045.

In order to adapt to the rapidly changing global situation and to make practical contributions to the cause of Doi Moi (Renewal), multilateral external relations should be focused on and promoted in the following aspects:

Firstly, it is necessary to competently carry out the multilateral external relations activities of Party, State, and NA leaders, thus helping to improve the country's prestige and position. This will contribute to bolstering co-operative ties in a more extensive and effective manner with member countries, especially big countries, important partners, and traditional friends.

Secondly, the country needs to perform well at international organizations and agencies, especially as a member at the UN Human Rights Council, the IAEA Board of Governors, the UNESCO Executive Council, and the International Law Commission, and Vice President of the UN General Assembly.

Thirdly, the nation needs to enhance its active and responsible role at major multilateral forums such as the UN, ASEAN, the Non-Aligned Movement, ASEM, and APEC, including promoting mutual complementarity between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda.

The country should therefore propose co-operation initiatives in line with its own priorities such as sustainable development, green growth, inclusiveness, energy transition, water security, food security, maritime security, and digital transformation.

Fourthly, it remains essential to stay proactive, responsive, and creative to promote fresh ideas and initiatives.

Finally, the country should strive to improve the overall effectiveness of interdisciplinary co-ordination, especially in research, strategic forecast, consultation, and handling of multilateral issues, thereby creating a consensus in awareness and actions.

This should be done alongside intensifying investment in fostering a contingent of qualified and capable personnel in multilateral foreign affairs.

This represents an important factor that determines the successful implementation of Party and State guidelines, as well as policies relating to enhancing multilateral external relations.

Source: VOV