World leaders share high expectations for the world's future in 2024

After a turbulent 2023, leaders of countries sent messages for 2024 to people around the world, containing the desire to maintain and develop peace and common prosperity.

Lãnh đạo các nước chia sẻ kỳ vọng cao về tương lai thế giới năm 2024

Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year's message highlights the country's achievements in recent times, while also setting out goals for national modernization, aiming for stable and long-term economic development. (Source: Xinhua)

The world entered 2023 with expectations of post-pandemic economic development, but in reality it experienced a period of low and stagnant growth, facing many shocks such as high inflation, banking crisis, and decline in global industrial production and trade.

Although a multipolar, multi-centered order is gradually taking shape, peace, cooperation, and development are major trends, the process of power shifting in the West-East and North-South directions puts the world at risk of major power strategic competition and local conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, thereby challenging the role of international law and multilateral mechanisms in maintaining peace.

Faced with an uncertain world situation, leaders of countries sent messages on the eve of the new year with the expectation that 2024 will promise many positive and comprehensive changes, helping to restore the economy and stabilize politics, serving the prosperous and happy lives of the people and creating sustainable global peace and prosperity.

China modernization

Speaking at the end of the old year, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping highlighted the achievements that the country has made in recent times, and at the same time set out goals for modernizing the country, aiming for stable and long-term economic development.

As he said last year, Xi Jinping has always believed in the resilience of the Chinese economy, and as long as the people have strong confidence and keep moving forward, the set goals will be achieved. This belief is evidenced by China's successful invention of the first domestically built superyacht, the Shenzhou spacecraft, and the Fendouzhe manned submarine.

These achievements contribute to making Chinese people's lives richer and more colorful, reflecting a vibrant and prosperous economy.

Mr. Tap affirmed that China will promote the country's modernization process based on a new development model, promote high-quality development, and pursue development goals and protect security.

China will deepen reform and opening up across the board, promote vibrant economic development, and boost education and promote the development of science and technology.

America is back

President Joe Biden affirmed his confidence in America's position in the international arena. (Source: Reuters)

Overcoming many storms of the past year, even facing the risk of a government shutdown, US President Joe Biden affirmed his belief that, thanks to the increase in the number of jobs, people now have better living conditions. Although Americans went through a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country is now standing up and coming back.

Mr. Biden hopes everyone has a healthy, happy and peaceful new year, and believes that America is better positioned than any other country to lead the world.

Building Russia's future

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year's message at the Kremlin, highlighting the country's great achievements in 2023 and calling on people to move forward and create the future. (Source: President of Russia)

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose the Southern Military District as the venue for his New Year’s address amid the escalating conflict in Ukraine, in an attempt to boost morale among troops on the front lines. This year, Putin delivered his New Year’s message from the Kremlin, highlighting the country’s great achievements in 2023 and calling on citizens to move forward and create the future.

The Russian leader stressed unity and common resolve in his New Year message. In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, he also mentioned the economy and inflation, among other issues of concern to voters.

President Putin declared 2024 as "the year of the family", affirming that the country and the Russian people are united, supportive and "resolutely defending our national interests, freedom and security as well as our values".

French humanism

From the Elysee Palace in Paris, in his 2024 New Year's message, French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed 2023 with domestic and international crises. (Source: Reuters)

Speaking on television on the evening of December 31, French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed 2023 with domestic and international crises, from pension reform debate to immigration reform, from urban riots to economic fluctuations, from global inflation to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Mr. Macron's speech this time recalled last year's message, in which the leader affirmed that 2023 would be the year of pension reform to ensure the balance of the financial system, as well as solve the energy crisis.

In addition, the French President emphasized major events that will unite the people of this country in 2024, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, or the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

On international issues, Mr. Macron hopes that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East will end and the world economy will recover quickly. With the optimistic and humane spirit that Mr. Macron wants to convey, leaving behind the difficulties of the past year, the French people will happily welcome 2024 with fresh hope.

Germany is resilient

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on people not to lose faith in the future as the world experiences many crises and changes at an increasingly rapid pace. (Source: AP)

On the eve of the new year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that the country will have to change in the face of a “more unstable and harsh” world, but will certainly “overcome it”. At the same time, he called on people not to lose faith in the future in the context of the world experiencing many crises and changing at an increasingly rapid pace.

While Mr. Scholz's 2023 message called on people to increase savings when the country fell into an energy crisis due to the Eastern European conflict, this year, the German Chancellor affirmed that Berlin had prevented an economic recession and fully prepared energy reserves.

Besides, the leader emphasized the importance of the European Union (EU), especially in times of crisis.

“Our strength lies in the EU,” he said. “When it presents a united front, it speaks for more than 400 million people. In a world of 8 billion, soon to be 10 billion, that is a real asset.”

Dynamic and inclusive Singapore

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hopes people will have faith in the next generation of leaders. (Source: Council on Foreign Relations)

In Southeast Asia, Singaporeans welcomed the New Year 2024 with a message from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He called on the people to join hands to realize the country's aspirations and ensure a bright future for Singapore.

Last year, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on the public to maintain its Covid-19 prevention campaign in the post-pandemic context. This year, he has focused on building a nation that is “dynamic and inclusive, fair and competitive, resilient and united”, based on the people’s support for Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the next generation of leaders.

In addition, the Singaporean leader also considered climate change a major challenge for the island nation. Therefore, Singapore needs to adapt and prepare for rising temperatures and sea levels, and at the same time transform the economy towards carbon neutrality.

Source