AFFIRMING VIETNAM'S POSITION, ROLE AND VOICE
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the High-level General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: VNA
The first multilateral foreign trip of General Secretary and President To Lam affirms Vietnam's desire to work with countries and international organizations to set out important policy directions to address global challenges. Thereby, continuing to affirm Vietnam's growing role, position and prestige.
Call for strengthening multilateralism
With the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting in solidarity to promote peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations” , the High-level General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.
At the general discussion session, General Secretary and President To Lam delivered a speech with a strong and comprehensive message on "Strengthening multilateralism, acting together to create a peaceful, stable, prosperous and sustainable future for all people" .
Assessing that the world is undergoing epochal changes, the General Secretary and President said that peace, cooperation and development are facing new and more serious challenges.
In that context, the General Secretary and President called on countries to strengthen solidarity, close cooperation, and promote the role of global institutions, especially the United Nations and regional organizations, including ASEAN, to achieve the highest goal of ending war, eliminating all forms of oppression and exploitation, creating peace, building a better world and bringing happiness to humanity.
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the High-level General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: VNA
Sharing Vietnam's vision for the future, the General Secretary and President emphasized that peace and stability are the foundation for building a prosperous future and that countries need to comply with international law and the United Nations Charter, act responsibly, abide by commitments, contribute to common work, strengthen solidarity, sincerity, trust, promote dialogue, and eliminate confrontation.
The General Secretary and President said it is necessary to unblock, mobilize and effectively use all resources for development, giving priority to "lowland areas" in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting developing countries with preferential capital, transferring advanced technology, training high-quality human resources, facilitating investment and trade and reducing debt burden.
Calling for the early establishment of smart global governance frameworks, the General Secretary and President emphasized the need for a long-term vision on science and technology, especially emerging technologies, to promote progressive development while proactively preventing and repelling threats to peace, sustainable development and humanity.
According to the General Secretary and President, there needs to be new thinking and efforts to promote transformation, focusing on digital transformation, green transformation and global governance transformation, thereby helping countries increase resilience and self-reliance.
Reforming multilateral mechanisms must ensure better representation, fairness, transparency, efficiency and future readiness. At the same time, it is necessary to put people at the center, with special attention paid to investing in and comprehensively developing the younger generation in terms of knowledge and culture, based on common values and a sense of responsibility and dedication.
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the Future Summit, 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: VNA
The above commitments were also highlighted by General Secretary and President To Lam at the Future Summit held earlier. Speaking at the first plenary session of the conference, the General Secretary and President emphasized that the choices of the present will shape the future; stating that the world's sustainable development goals and human interests must be placed at the center, as the highest goals.
According to the General Secretary and President, humanity is facing a historic opportunity to bring the world into a new era, a new and better era of development, for progressive development, social justice, for a prosperous, free and happy life for the people when all have a unified perception, act together, make efforts and cooperate closely and effectively.
The Future Summit is considered a “once in a generation” opportunity for the international community to agree on a vision and ways to create a better future for future generations. The Summit unanimously adopted the Future Document, the Global Digital Document and the Future Generations Declaration . These documents are comprehensive in content, setting out ambitious actions and goals in all areas of cooperation at the United Nations.
Promote and expand partnerships
During his working trip to attend the Future Summit, 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and work in the United States, General Secretary and President To Lam had meetings with leaders of many countries and international organizations.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: VNA
At meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 79th United Nations General Assembly Philemon Yang, the General Secretary and President affirmed that the United Nations plays an important role in global governance, promoting multilateral cooperation, upholding international law, contributing to narrowing the gap and promoting development, ensuring the full participation of all countries.
The two sides agreed to continue efforts, enhance dialogue and promote further deepening of Vietnam-United Nations and ASEAN-United Nations relations in the coming time, promote ASEAN's central role in resolving regional issues, especially in maintaining peace and stability in the region and peacefully resolving disputes.
The two sides also agreed on cooperation measures to promote sustainable development, put the 2030 Agenda back on track, transform energy, enhance capacity to effectively respond to global challenges, and further enhance Vietnam's participation in UN peacekeeping activities in the coming time.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with President of the 79th United Nations General Assembly Philemon Yang. Photo: VNA
During the meetings with leaders of UNDP, UNICEF, WB and IMF, the General Secretary and President highly appreciated the role and contributions of these organizations to the process of national construction and development of Vietnam; and proposed directions for cooperation between the two sides in the coming period.
At the meetings, many partners commented that Vietnam is a model in socio-economic development and SDG implementation, bringing valuable practical experience to the United Nations and the international community.
Leaders of countries and international organizations have shown their appreciation for Vietnam's growing position, role and voice in the international arena, agreeing to promote comprehensive cooperation in traditional areas of cooperation, as well as expanding to new areas of cooperation, such as innovation, green technology, digital technology, etc.
General Secretary and President To Lam and Vietnamese delegates attend the Future Summit, 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the High-level General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with President of the 79th United Nations General Assembly Philemon Yang. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam met with Director General of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Achim Steiner. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam with Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Catherine M. Russell. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam receives Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with World Bank President Ajay Banga. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam receives Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Photo: VNA
CONTINUING THE SUCCESS STORY OF VIETNAM-US RELATIONS
Within the framework of his working trip to attend the Future Summit, the 79th United Nations General Assembly, and work in the United States, General Secretary and President To Lam had meetings with leaders, officials, left-wing organizations, friends, businesses, etc. of the United States to review the milestones in the relationship between the two countries, and discuss directions to continue to deepen and develop the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a stable and substantive manner, bringing more benefits to the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.
Model of healing and relationship building
Attending the event to celebrate the first anniversary of the upgrade of relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, towards the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations, General Secretary and President To Lam reviewed the history of relations between the two countries; saying that this is a rare process and a model in international relations in healing and building relations after the war.
Through many ups and downs, the two countries went from former enemies to friends, then to Comprehensive Partnership in 2013. After 10 years of implementing this framework, with important steps achieved in strengthening trust and enhancing mutual understanding, it has created a solid foundation for the two countries to upgrade their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development in 2023.
According to General Secretary and President To Lam, this result is the crystallization of countless efforts to mend and build lasting trust over the past 30 years by many generations of leaders, governments, parliaments and people of the two countries.
General Secretary and President To Lam at a meeting with leaders of the Communist Party, left-wing organizations and American friends. Photo: VNA
The above points were also highlighted by the General Secretary and President during his meeting and exchange with many representatives of thousands of American friends who love Vietnam, including leaders of the Communist Party of the United States, left-wing organizations, peace activists, veterans, friends, representatives of charitable, humanitarian, religious, non-governmental organizations and businesses.
The General Secretary and President expressed his respect and emotion for the support and affection of communist comrades, friends and people of the United States for the Party, State and people of Vietnam through the ages.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the delegates shared their special feelings and support for Vietnam in various forms. Expressing their emotion when General Secretary and President To Lam awarded the Friendship Medal to them for their positive and important contributions to strengthening the people-to-people relations between the two countries, the outstanding individuals affirmed to continue their efforts to enhance understanding, promote friendship and cooperation between the two sides in the coming time.
These were the words of the General Secretary and President when he visited and delivered a policy speech at Columbia University as part of his working trip. The General Secretary and President said that after nearly 30 years, the Vietnam-US relationship has made strong progress.
In the next 30 years, with the spirit of "putting the past behind, overcoming differences, promoting similarities, and looking towards the future", the General Secretary and President believes that the Vietnam-US relationship will reach new heights.
Create motivation to turn a new page
At the meeting with US President Joe Biden, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the historic visit to the United States in 2015 by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the visit to Vietnam by President Biden in September 2023 created important momentum to bring the relationship between the two countries to a new level, opening up space for this relationship to develop strongly and stably in the coming decades.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with US President Joe Biden. Photo: VNA
According to the General Secretary and President, Vietnam and the United States share the same vision of building a better common future for all humanity based on the lessons learned from the two countries, which is to promote the role of the spirit of healing, respect and mutual understanding, in which respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions is the most important. The General Secretary and President assessed that the relationship between the two countries is entering a new historical page.
For his part, President Biden affirmed that the United States considers Vietnam a partner of paramount importance in the region. President Biden affirmed that the United States supports a “strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous” Vietnam and will continue to promote the partnership between the two countries on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, so that the US-Vietnam relationship continues to be a model for healing and cooperation to build the future.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with US President Joe Biden. Photo: VNA
To continue to maintain the stable and effective development momentum of the new relationship framework and towards the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two leaders agreed that the two sides need to continue to closely coordinate to effectively implement the Vietnam-US Joint Statement in 2023, including increasing contacts and exchanges at all levels, especially at the high level, focusing on promoting economic-trade-investment cooperation, high technology, semiconductor cooperation, further promoting the potential for cooperation in the field of training high-quality human resources, considering this to continue to be the focus and a breakthrough in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Regarding international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums, including ASEAN, the Mekong-US Partnership, APEC, the United Nations, etc., contributing to promoting dialogue, peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The contents of cooperation, as well as potential areas of cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, were also highlighted when the General Secretary and President attended a seminar on enhancing Vietnam-US cooperation in developing the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries, as well as when receiving corporations in the fields of technology, energy, aviation, space satellites and leading US investment funds.
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with US President Joe Biden. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the first anniversary of upgrading relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, towards the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam receives US Senator Chris Coons. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam at a meeting with leaders of the Communist Party, left-wing organizations and American friends. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam received a number of experts and scholars on Vietnam organized by the Weatherhead East Asia Institute (Columbia University). Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at a seminar on strengthening Vietnam-US cooperation in developing the semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam attends a dialogue with major US businesses. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam receives leaders of Apple Corporation. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam met with members of the Vietnam Innovation Network and Vietnamese experts in the United States. Photo: VNA
TAKING VIETNAM-CUBA RELATIONS TO NEW HEIGHTS
The State visit to Cuba by General Secretary and President To Lam is an important milestone, bringing the Vietnam-Cuba relationship to a new stage of substantial and sustainable development, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for socialism, for peace, cooperation and development in each region and in the world. The Vietnam-Cuba Joint Statement issued by the two sides after the visit highlighted this.
General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez review the Guard of Honor. Photo: VNA
Promoting special friendship
The solemn, thoughtful, and comradely reception for General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation demonstrates the respect of the Cuban Party, State and people for the Vietnamese Party, State and people.
During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam paid a courtesy call to Cuban revolutionary leader General Raul Castro Ruz and reaffirmed the special nature of the Vietnam-Cuba friendship and the development of solidarity, cooperation and mutual trust in all areas between the Parties, States and peoples of the two countries.
The General Secretary and President laid wreaths at the Monument to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti and at the Statue of President Ho Chi Minh.
At the emotional meeting with Cuban friends and young people, the General Secretary and President respectfully thanked Cuban friends for promoting the brotherly relationship between the two countries that President Ho Chi Minh and leaders Fidel Castro and Raul Castro Ruz have worked hard to cultivate.
During the activities within the framework of the visit, the Vietnamese delegation congratulated the 65th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and the results that the Party, State and people of Cuba have achieved in implementing the resolution of the 8th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Vietnam believes that the Party, State and people of Cuba will continue to adhere to the set goals, maintain national solidarity, and continue to consolidate their position and role in the region and the world.
The Cuban side also congratulated Vietnam on the great and historic achievements it has made after nearly 40 years of renovation, bringing Vietnam's foundation, potential, position and international prestige to unprecedented heights.
Cuba expressed its belief that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and successfully organize the 14th National Congress in early 2026, realizing the goal of turning Vietnam into a developed, high-income, socialist-oriented country by 2045.
First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez presents the Jose Marti Medal to General Secretary and President To Lam. Photo: VNA
On this occasion, in recognition of Comrade To Lam's valuable contributions to the relationship between the two sides over the years, First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez awarded General Secretary and President To Lam the Jose Marti Medal , Cuba's highest award.
The leaders of the two countries affirmed that the special friendship, cooperation and traditional solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba is a symbol of the times and a priceless asset of the two Parties and peoples. The two sides are determined to continue to inherit and promote that everlasting legacy.
In the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two sides agreed to increase exchanges between socio-political organizations and localities of the two countries; pay attention to nurturing and educating the young generation of the two countries to always cherish, preserve and further develop the special, exemplary and loyal relationship between the two peoples.
The two countries declared 2025 as the "Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year" , agreed to coordinate in organizing practical activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - December 2, 2025), and to increase information and propaganda about the significance and importance of the traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.
Enhance trust, improve cooperation efficiency
At the talks and meetings between General Secretary and President To Lam and Cuban leaders, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the good development of relations and cooperation between the two countries at all levels and in all fields; affirmed their determination to bring the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship to a new height, developing more comprehensively, substantially, effectively and sustainably.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen the close relationship and mutual trust between the Parties, States and people of the two countries, actively contributing to the cause of protecting and building socialism in each country, for peace, stability, cooperation and development.
General Secretary and President To Lam holds talks with First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez at a meeting with people's friendship representatives and the young generation of Cuba. Photo: VNA
According to the Vietnam-Cuba Joint Statement, the two sides agreed to promote delegation exchanges, especially high-level delegations; emphasizing that the relationship between the two Parties plays a political foundation and strategic orientation for the development of bilateral relations.
The two sides also focused on coordination between the two National Assemblies, agreed to strengthen legal and judicial cooperation, create a legal corridor for bilateral economic, trade and investment activities, and ensure that commitments can be implemented feasibly and sustainably in practice.
The two countries agreed to continue close cooperation in defense, security and foreign affairs; emphasizing the importance and effectiveness of political consultation mechanisms between the two sides.
The two sides also pledged to make joint efforts to promote and deepen economic, trade and investment cooperation; and make the most of the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement to increase turnover and diversify bilateral trade.
General Secretary and President To Lam and Cuban leaders agreed to assign departments, ministries, branches and localities of the two countries to promote and deepen existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements, and expand cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, food processing industry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical services, energy, telecommunications, tourism, construction, transportation, high technology, digital transformation, etc.
Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides emphasized similarities in issues of mutual concern; agreed that international disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.
General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez review the Guard of Honor. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam holds talks with First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez witnessed the signing ceremony of a cooperation document between the Central Economic Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Central Economic and Production Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. Photo: VNA
First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez presents the Jose Marti Medal to General Secretary and President To Lam. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam meets with President of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam met with Cuban revolutionary leader, General Raul Castro Ruz. Photo: VNA
General Secretary, President To Lam and First Secretary, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez visited the Mariel Development Special Zone.
General Secretary, President To Lam and his wife ordered the Memorial of Cuban National Hero Jose Marti.
General Secretary, President To Lam and his wife offered flowers at the monument of President Ho Chi Minh in the capital Habana.
General Secretary, President To Lam spoke at the meeting of the People's Friendship and the young generation Cuba. Photo: VNA
General Secretary, President To Lam and his wife with officials, Embassy staff and Vietnamese community in Cuba. Photo: VNA
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