 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (Illustrative photo: VNA) |
This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to South Africa since diplomatic ties were established in 1993. It is also the first official visit to Algeria in 10 years and to Kuwait in 16 years by a Vietnamese head of government. Prime Minister Chinh’s trip delivers an important message, broadens cooperation, creates momentum for economic and investment collaboration in the Middle East and Africa, and affirms Vietnam’s international standing to the G20.
Connecting Middle East and Africa, expanding gateways for energy and finance
Vietnam has strong, friendly cooperation with Kuwait, Algeria, and South Africa. South Africa is Africa’s largest economy, the 2025 G20 Chair, and a key member of BRICS. Algeria is one of Vietnam’s closest partners in Africa and currently serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Kuwait this year holds the chairmanship of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Vietnam and those three countries are currently embracing new roles in their respective development paths. Many Middle Eastern and African nations view Vietnam as a model of successful reform, and a country making increasingly active and responsible contributions to the international community, which is strengthening political trust and shared values between Vietnam and its partners in the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang said the Prime Minister’s trip sends a powerful message that Vietnam attaches great importance to deepening relations with regional partners and is opening a new stage of strategic, practical cooperation.
Hang said: “The trip creates an opportunity for us to strengthen connections with three strategic countries in the region. It helps shape a new vision for ties between Vietnam and the Middle East and Africa, built on trust, sustainability, and the pursuit of shared prosperity.”
G20 and Vietnam’s voice on global issues
This is the second consecutive year that Vietnam has been invited to the G20 Summit, which reflects its growing credibility, stature, and role, and the recognition Vietnam gets from the G20 and other partners for its development achievements and responsible contributions to global issues.
Attending this year’s summit provides Vietnam with an opportunity to reaffirm its consistent foreign policy of being a trusted partner of the international community, ready to join hands in tackling global challenges based on mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to human progress.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hang said: “At the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister will share policy messages, contributing to global efforts to promote economic growth, mitigate risks facing the global economy, and enhance cooperation in strategic sectors such as minerals, energy, and reforms of global trade, finance, and investment systems, at a time when the world is reshaping rules and norms.”
Vietnam’s active participation and proposals at the G20 and other global forums affirm its consistent foreign policy of contributing to shaping a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable international economic order that reflects the voices and perspectives of developing countries. PM Chinh’s trip is expected to open new avenues of strategic cooperation and reaffirm Vietnam’s standing in a rapidly changing world.