Vietnam officially co-chairs OECD Southeast Asia Program

In his address at the second SEARP Ministerial Conference on February 9 in Seoul, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed three areas of cooperation to enhance the partnership between the OECD and ASEAN in the time ahead.

He suggested the OECD continue to support ASEAN and regional countries in their digital transformation process as well as in developing a low-carbon economy.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASEAN and the OECD was signed at the meeting. With 31 areas of cooperation, the MOU creates an important framework for strengthening the partnership between the two organizations in the future.

He suggested that the OECD continue to support and give policy consultations to ASEAN and regional countries in digital transformation. He said that the OECD and its members should increase assistance to ASEAN in carrying out the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the ASEAN Industry 4.0 Strategy, and the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and other action programmes related to digital transformation.

Son emphasized the need to ensure all people benefit from digitalisation, are trained and gain access to digital technologies. He also expressed a hope that the OECD will assist ASEAN in developing a low-carbon economy and implementing commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), heading to a greener and more sustainable future.

He also proposed that the OECD and its members help Vietnam in developing digital economy and realising the National Programme on Digital Transformation to 2030 and reaching the target of digital economy contributing 20 % of the GDP in 2025 and 30% in 2030.

Vietnam also hopes to receive support in transforming the growth model and investing more in renewable energy, high technology and high-quality human resources training, he said.

The ministers adopted a joint statement on the people-oriented future – partnership for a smarter, greener and more inclusive ASEAN.

Speaking after the ceremony to take over the position of the SEARP co-chair, Son pledged that Vietnam will work hand in hand with Australia, the OECD and other members to continue promoting SEARP operations to make greater contributions to the regional economic recovery and development with an unwavering policy of placing the people at the centre of the process.
On this occasion, Minister Son received Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the OECD and Stanislav Rascan, Secretary of State, Acting Minister of Development Cooperation of Slovenia.

General Secretary Mathias Cormann congratulated Vietnam on ít socio-economic development achievements and highly appreciated that Vietnam has been elected by SEARP members as Co-Chair of the SEARP Program.

He said he believes that with the role, position and prestige in the region, Vietnam and Australia will contribute to promoting the Program's activities.

The OECD Secretary-General also affirmed that the OECD and its member countries will continue to accompany Vietnam in joint efforts to boost economic recovery, transform growth models, promote digital transformation, and realize the goals of rapid and sustainable development.

Receiving Stanislav Rascan, Secretary of State, Acting Minister of Development Cooperation of Slovenia, the two sides pledged to step up the substantive multifaceted cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Slovenia, especially in  trade and investment, boost closer coordination and offer mutual support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.