Vietnam was first invited to attend the G20 summit when it was ASEAN Chair in 2010. Vietnam attended the summit and its related events hosted by Germany for the second time in 2017 as host of the APEC Forum 2017. This year Vietnam is one of 8 special guests of the host Japan.
Proactive contribution to multilateral cooperation
The G20 Summit 2019 will have 4 discussions on the global economy, trade, and investment; innovation and the digital economy; sustainable growth, job, women, health care; and the environment, energy and climate change.
Vietnam will attend all activities and discussions of the summit and contribute to the summit’s Joint Statement. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver a speech to the plenary session to share Vietnam’s vision, cooperation initiatives, and efforts for global peace and prosperity, leaving no one behind.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam says Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will focus on WTO reform, digital economy and the environment, particularly the marine environment. Nam said: “Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization later than other countries but it has been an active member. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is the initiator of Vietnam’s transformation to the 4.0 Economy. As Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the G20 summit, the Prime Minister will definitely be engaged in the digital economy issue. Vietnam is a marine country and plastic waste at sea is threatening Vietnam’s economy. Prime Minister Phuc’s speech at the meeting will cover these issues.”
Outstanding bilateral cooperation
Vietnam and Japan celebrated the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties last year. Their current cooperation mechanisms include the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee, the Strategic Partnership Dialogue on diplomacy-security-defense, the Defense Policy Dialogue, the Joint Committee on Trade, Energy and Industry, and Agriculture Dialogue.
Trade between Vietnam and Japan in the first five months of this year totaled 15 billion USD, 3.2% more than last year. As of May, Japan had more than 4,000 FDI projects worth nearly 58 billion USD in Vietnam, ranking 2nd among 116 countries and territories invested in Vietnam. The two countries have promoted cooperation in agriculture, climate change response, labor, education, and tourism. Ambassador Vu Hong Nam said: “I believe the bilateral relationship will continue to grow. Politically, Japan considers Vietnam an important member of the G20 system and the global political-economic arena. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will create a firm foundation for bilateral ties. In the near future, Vietnamese enterprises will arrive at a better understanding the CPTPP and participate more in the agreement. Consequently, bilateral ties will grow.”
Prime Minister Phuc’s trip reflects Vietnam’s foreign policy of promoting multilateral cooperation and contributing to global issues. The visit will promote the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.