At the invitation of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, G20 Chair 2024 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife, and the President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader and his wife, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife will lead a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from November 16-19, 2024 and pay an official visit to the Dominican Republic from November 19-21, 2024. In an interview before the Prime Minister's trip, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Thanh Binh said that this is the fifth time Vietnam has been invited to attend the G20 Summit and the first time a key Vietnamese leader has visited the Dominican Republic. Increasing importance is attached to the role of the Vietnamese economy in the world economy. What are the key contents of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to attend the G20 Summit in Brazil and his official visit to the Dominican Republic, Mr. Deputy Minister? The 19th G20 Summit with the theme "Building a fair world and a sustainable planet" will prioritize discussions on poverty reduction, sustainable development - energy transition and reform of global governance institutions. These are all issues of common concern to all countries. In addition to the official members of the G20, this year's Summit will be attended by heads of state and government of 19 guest countries and leaders of 15 key international organizations. Attended by the top leaders of the world's leading economies, this is the most important event, closing Brazil's very busy and also very effective year as G20 President with more than 100 meetings of 16 working groups and nearly 20 Ministerial Conferences.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his official visit to Brazil in September 2023. Photo: VNA

Within the framework of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to hold talks with President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Lula da Silva to review the implementation of high-level agreements reached during the Prime Minister's official visit in September 2023 and discuss major orientations and practical measures to bring bilateral relations to a new height. The Prime Minister will also attend a number of bilateral activities with Brazil on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, including the inauguration ceremony of a commemorative plaque dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Rio de Janeiro. For the Dominican Republic, the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demonstrates Vietnam's respect and desire to continue to consolidate and deepen the solidarity, friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic, towards the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (July 7, 2005 - July 7, 2025). In recent times, the relationship between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic has had many new positive developments. The two sides maintain regular delegation exchanges. Economic and trade relations have grown rapidly. The two countries still have much potential and room for cooperation in many fields. So, in your opinion, what is the purpose, significance and importance of the Prime Minister's visit this time? The Prime Minister's visit this time is important in many aspects. Firstly, to promote Vietnam's position at the G20. This is the first time Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has attended the G20 Summit, although Vietnam is not holding the rotating presidency of any multilateral forum (we were previously invited to attend the G20 as APEC Chair in 2017, ASEAN in 2010 and 2020). This shows that the international community, including host Brazil, increasingly values ​​the role of the Vietnamese economy in the world economy, as well as Vietnam's influence and contributions to global multilateral mechanisms. Second, it affirms Vietnam's responsible contribution in addressing global challenges; promoting Vietnam's advantages in areas of strength and experience. For many years, the G20 has been one of the most important mechanisms for global governance, of great significance in leading and shaping international efforts in responding to global challenges.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Thanh Binh. Photo: Minh Nhat

This is an opportunity for us to make proactive, positive and responsible contributions to the world's key and urgent issues, commensurate with Vietnam's position and strength as we enter a new era of national development. The Prime Minister's attendance and speech will convey a strong message about a dynamic, innovative Vietnam, ready to shoulder global responsibilities. Third, the working trip is an opportunity for us to consolidate and promote cooperation with partners in many fields. With Brazil, the Prime Minister's working trip will contribute to bringing the Vietnam - Brazil bilateral relationship to a new height, strengthening political commitment and trust, opening up a wider space for cooperation, bringing the relationship to comprehensive development, going into depth, stability and sustainability, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries. With the Dominican Republic, the visit will create momentum to promote the expansion of economic, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic, especially in potential areas such as agriculture, industry, construction materials production, export processing zone business, energy - oil and gas, telecommunications and tourism. The meetings with leaders of countries and international organizations within the framework of the Conference will be an opportunity to further deepen relations in many areas, especially trade, investment, development cooperation, continuing to effectively implement Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification. Responding to the Call for Action on Global Governance Reform What is Vietnam expected to contribute to this G20 Summit, Deputy Minister? As a guest of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to make many substantive contributions to the conference. First, sharing views on global issues. The Prime Minister will speak at two sessions on November 18 and 19 with two important topics, “The fight against poverty” and “Sustainable development and energy transition.” The Prime Minister is expected to share valuable lessons on poverty reduction, a field in which Vietnam has a lot of experience and has achieved great achievements, which have been recognized and highly appreciated by the world. At the same time, the Prime Minister will also exchange views, approaches and implementation of Vietnam’s sustainable development and energy transition strategy in the coming period, and introduce to the Conference that Vietnam will host the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in 2025.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a press conference after talks with Brazilian President Lula da Silva on September 25, 2023. Photo: Nhat Bac

Second, demonstrating solidarity in seeking solutions for global governance. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will respond to the Call for Action on Global Governance Reform. This is an important document of the G20 reflecting the G20's determination to reform and modernize important international institutions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund. Responding to the call demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to upholding multilateralism and international solidarity, affirming the leading role of the G20 in promoting sustainable development goals. Third, affirming the commitment to responding to global challenges. The Prime Minister will attend the launching ceremony of the "Global Alliance to Fight Poverty" Initiative as a founding member. In the context of the world's efforts to eradicate poverty and implement the global Sustainable Development Goals slowing down, the establishment of the Alliance will contribute to creating new political momentum, effectively coordinating with existing efforts to eradicate poverty. This spirit is completely consistent with Vietnam's global, all-people and comprehensive approach and with the policy of enhancing the voice of developing countries in the fight against poverty. I believe that the results of this working trip will once again affirm Vietnam's position, prestige, responsibility and contributions in important international forums. Thereby, further strengthening and opening a new phase in the relationship between Vietnam and Brazil and the Dominican Republic, creating momentum to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in many fields, effectively contributing to the development of each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the two regions and in the world.