Vietnam aspires to boost cooperation with African nations

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance and remarks during the open debate on co-operation between the UN and African Union (AU) on October 28 are of great significance as it demonstrates the country’s sense of responsibility towards the UN and UN Security Council (UNSC)’s activities. Indeed, it also highlights the wider concerns of the international community.

It indicates the nation’s strong interest in Africa and the AU, along with the country's will to share difficulties and increase co-operation with African nations.

According to the Deputy Minister, the event has allowed the Vietnamese side to further promote its active role and contributions as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, following its successful performance as rotating president of the UNSC in April.

The country has been able to maintain a good friendship with all African countries, whilst building on the solidarity among their liberation movements during the 1950s and 1960s. Entering the 21st century, the nation and African countries were able to consistently consolidate and expanded their win-win partnerships in various areas, he continued.

These sound political relations have added fresh impetus to co-operation between both sides in terms of economics, trade, and other major areas, whilst they have closely co-ordinated and offered mutual support at multilateral forums, such as the UN, he added.

Vietnamese trade turnover with African markets has increased 2.5 times from US$2.5 billion in 2010 to US$6.8 billion in 2020.

Investment activities between the country and the African region have therefore witnessed an increase in both quantity, value, and location of investment.

At present, Vietnamese businesses have invested approximately US$3 billion in 12 African nations. It is worth noting that this includes several major projects, such as oil and gas exploration and production project in Algeria run by Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, in addition to Viettel's telecommunications projects in Burundi, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

These projects not only bring greater economic efficiency, but also actively contribute to creating jobs and improving the quality of life for indigenous people, according to Deputy Minister Hieu.

The local diplomat also voiced his hope that general relations will be further deepened, thereby contributing to peace, co-operation, and development of each side and region.

This comes after President Phuc attended the virtual high-level open debate on UN-AU co-operation on October 28 at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, who holds the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in October.

The President’s speech and proposals were held in high regard by participating heads of UN member states and organisations.