Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (front, centre) at the first session of the 14th G20 Summit

Followinga welcome ceremony in the morning, leaders of G20 members and guest countries, engagedin a thematic discussion on the digital economy presided over by Japanese PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe.

Thesession adopted the Osaka statement on the digital economy, which stressed the hugepotential and significance of the digital economy, and agreed to enhanceinternational cooperation in order to facilitate the development of the digitaleconomy, optimise benefits brought about by the digital economy and emergingtechnologies, and ensure security and safety in the digital economy.

Duringthe first session, the leaders looked into the global economic, trade andinvestment situation and prospects.

Theyshared the views that although the global economy basically remained stable,growth remains sluggish with substantial risks.

Theleaders affirmed that they will continue to use and combine policy tools tospur sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, consolidate trust and preventrisks.

Giventhe complex development of the global trade tensions, leaders of many countriesadvocated international cooperation and called for efforts to fightprotectionism, promote economic, commercial and investment connectivity, pushahead with reforming the WTO, maintain and consolidate the multilateral tradesystem.

Theyalso underlined the need to step up collaboration in mobilising and usingresources for high-quality infrastructure development effectively, thuscontributing to global economic growth.

Addressinga working session on innovation in the afternoon, PM Phuc said Vietnam hasregarded the digital economy as one of the major growth engines, and will issuea strategy on national digital transformation in late 2019.

Hewelcomed the initiative raised by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe of free data flowswith trust, and suggested forming global legal framework and regulations ondata flows and management.

Vietnamand other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) stand ready to cooperate with G20 member countries to encourageinnovations and optimize economic benefits brought about by the digital economywhile ensuring compliance to local and international law, he said.

PMPhuc also lauded G20’s approach of people-centred AI development, and proposedpromoting the formation of a global network of innovative centres, including thoseengaging in AI research and development, in order to increase the sharing ofknowledge and new technologies, and help developing countries make use of opportunitiescreated by innovations and AI, thus ensuring that no one will be left behindand for peace and sustainable development in the digital era.

Laterthe same day, PM Phuc and other leaders attended a banquet hosted by PM Shinzo Abe.

TheG20 summit will continue with discussions on sustainable development,employment, women, health care, environment, energy and climate change on June29.

PM meets world leaders on sidelines of G20 Osaka Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met world leaders on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28.

The leaders expressed their wish to enhance ties with Vietnam and congratulated the country on winning a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure.

They voiced support for Vietnam in its role as ASEAN Chair 2020 and wished to bolster ties with the bloc, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, development, security, maritime and aviation safety in the region.

President of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker congratulated Vietnam and the EU on the upcoming signing of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in Hanoi on June 30, adding that he hopes both sides would strive to push forward the European Parliament’s approval of the deals this year to bring benefits to their peoples and businesses.

PM Phuc and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to step up agreements already reached by leaders of the two countries and facilitate the exchange of high-level visits in order to deepen bilateral links.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed support for the strategic energy cooperation and asked for building balanced and mutually-beneficial trade ties. He welcomed the Vietnamese Government’s determination and drastic actions to fight trade frauds.

Both sides mulled key cooperation areas, including trade and energy. In the near future, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of Energy will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation and import of liquefied natural gas from the US.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart’s suggestion to expand all-around links, particularly effectively tapping the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), expanding ties in finance, high-tech, agriculture and renewable energy. He also promised to intensify education collaboration, making it easier for Vietnamese students to study in Canada.

PM Phuc and Indian PM Narendra Modi vowed to further deepen economic, trade, energy, national defence-security, education-training, cultural exchange, tourism ties and aviation connectivity.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera expressed the wish to further promote ties with Vietnam within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

General Director of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom affirmed commitment to enhancing ties with Vietnam and highly valued the country’s achievements in public health care. He hoped that Vietnam will share its experience at the UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage scheduled for September in New York.

The Vietnamese leader also held brief talks with Presidents of France, Turkey and Argentina, and Prime Ministers of Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands on ways to boost bilateral ties and cooperation on regional and global issues of shared concern.

VNA