Across nearly 70 productive activities, a key achievement was upgrading bilateral relations with Kuwait, Algeria, and South Africa to Strategic Partnership, marking Vietnam’s first strategic partners in the Middle East and Africa and affirming Vietnam’s pivotal role in their priority partnership network.

At the G20 Summit, attended by 40 countries, the Prime Minister delivered two major speeches emphasising international solidarity and sustainable development, while proposing strategic solutions to promote global growth, ensure fair, transparent, and balanced multilateral trade, and implement flexible and effective global governance in the era of digital and green transformation.

“Vietnam is ready to engage in proactive, equitable, and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, the G20, and the international community, aiming for a peaceful, civilized, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive world, leaving no one behind, so that all people can benefit from the achievements of development and deeper international integration,” he stressed.

According to Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Vietnam’s message is highly regarded internationally, as the country has achieved significant progress in comprehensive and sustainable development, job creation, and possesses valuable mineral and rare earth resources.

“The solutions proposed by the Prime Minister at the G20 focus on strengthening solidarity and cooperation, consolidating existing mechanisms, and implementing reforms to ensure peace and sustainable development,” said the diplomat.

Despite the busy schedule of the G20 Summit, South African leaders extended a warm and distinguished welcome to the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a meeting, officially upgrading Vietnam–South Africa relations to a Strategic Partnership, setting a benchmark for cooperation among Global South countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation, making it a priority in bilateral relations, while expanding market access, aiming to raise bilateral trade to US$4–5 billion within the next 2–3 years.

Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group CEO Le Ngoc Son and South Africa Chamber of Commerce Vice President Neil Pollock emphasised the importance of promptly implementing the agreements reached by the two countries’ top leaders. CEO Son said as oil and gas is a new sector in South Africa, with limited current output, his group is ready to explore potential opportunities and investment blocks, and to develop offshore wind energy and petrochemical projects to support South Africa’s energy supply.

Earlier, during his first stop in Kuwait, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the King, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister of Kuwait, engaging in comprehensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and international issues. The two sides issued a joint statement, officially establishing a Vietnam–Kuwait Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.

Energy was highlighted as a strategic area of cooperation. Both sides prioritised deeper collaboration in oil and gas exploration, petrochemical industries, and renewable energy, while reaffirming their commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical Complex Project. Sheikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, CEO of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and Oil Minister Tariq Suleiman Al-Roumi emphasised close coordination with Vietnam Petroleum Corporation (PVN) and other partners to resolve challenges, promote investment, and ensure Vietnam’s energy security.

The Kuwait Ministry of Oil will also work with Vietnamese ministries to implement the Strategic Partnership framework, creating new directions for cooperation and boosting economic, trade, and investment development, particularly in the energy sector.

In Algeria, both sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in an already strong relationship. This framework focuses on the pillars of economy, trade, and investment, including promoting agreement implementation, expanding transport cooperation, aiming for direct flight agreements, and boosting tourism and trade between North Africa and Southeast Asia.

In energy and mining, both sides encouraged expanded cooperation in oil and gas exploration, refining-petrochemical projects, and strategic mining. They also agreed to promote sustainable agriculture, resource management, and climate change response, while encouraging Vietnamese investment in agricultural complexes in Algeria to enhance regional food security.

Despite the short stay, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met and held discussions with 30 leaders from countries and international organisations on Vietnam’s development path, current progress, and efforts to improve institutional frameworks.

During these meetings, the Prime Minister delivered policy statements and engaged directly with leaders and businesses in Kuwait, Algeria, and South Africa on Vietnam’s achievements and development orientation, helping partners better understand and strengthen their confidence in advancing political, economic, trade, and investment relations with Vietnam.

The Prime Minister also spent time meeting representatives of Vietnamese expatriates in the three countries, listening to their concerns, coordinating with foreign leaders to resolve issues, and facilitating opportunities for Vietnamese nationals to live, work, and study abroad. He also chaired emergency online meetings on natural disasters in the central region, directing immediate response and recovery efforts, with support from international partners.

The outcomes of the visits have established a crucial foundation, serving as both a driving force and an inspiration for Vietnam to continue realising its national development aspirations. These achievements are expected to attract maximum international resources, supporting the country’s sustainable development goals in the new era.

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