PM Dung attends ASEAN Global Dialogue

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, ASEAN leaders, and ASEAN partners attended the ASEAN Global Dialogue in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 20 along with representatives from international financial institutions such as the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

ASEAN leaders and international organization representatives used the forum to discuss global issues like the economic crisis, energy security, food security, and sustainable development.

ASEAN countries called on partners and international organizations to continue supporting the regional bloc as it works towards regional connectivity and integration targets.

PM Dung cited the Global Dialogue initiative in his speech, describing it as a valuable opportunity for countries to exchange views on regional and global issues and emerging challenges. He said it underlines the positive role ASEAN and East Asia have played in building a prosperous region through sustainable development.

Vietnam will actively contribute to the bloc’s combined efforts—in line with its conditions and on a voluntary basis—to protect sustainable development targets, Dung said.

He asked developed countries to support those still developing as they pursue climate change adaptation, expand agricultural production, and implement effective natural resource management. The support could take the form of increased financial assistance or more comprehensive technology transferral.

 UN organizations, the WB, and the ADB can all involve themselves in research activities and policy and coordination consultancy, Dung said.

Dung and leaders from the US, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia attended an informal meeting about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) on the same day.

The leaders of the 7 TPP member nations stressed the importance of broader economic connectivity under the TPP framework and applauded the results obtained from the last three years of negotiations. They agreed to spare no efforts in finalizing the TPP next year.

PM Dung said Vietnam is ready to share joint determination and contribute positively to concluding negotiations early.

To ensure the TPP becomes an effective mechanism for cooperation, Dung urged TPP members to accelerate the implementation of agreements on balanced development and help developing countries penetrate the global value chain to a deeper level. It is essential to maintain the Asia-Pacific region’s dynamism and motive force in the world economy.

On the sidelines of the 21^st ASEAN Summit and its associated events, PM Dung met with his New Zealand counterpart John Key.

The two PMs expressed their delight at the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly in the fields of economics, trade, investment, education-training, and tourism.

They praised the two countries for expanding the scope of cooperation on labour and national security and defence in the interests of regional stability and development.

The New Zealand PM said his country will continue providing ODA funding for Vietnam and step up its delegation exchange schedule, noting that the New Zealand Governor-General will soon visit Vietnam.

He also invited senior Vietnamese leaders to visit New Zealand.

Both sides agreed to hold the 4^th meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation in the near future.

Dung acknowledged New Zealand’s cooperation with ASEAN as well as its significant contributions to regional and international forums.

PM John Key thanked Vietnam for supporting New Zealand’s non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2015- 2016 term, adding his country will coordinate closely with Vietnam during the TPP negotiation process.