Vietnam's sustainable economic growth always goes hand in hand with social progress and equity.

SGGP 17/11/2023 06:02

On November 16th, approximately 2,000 leaders from leading global and Asia- Pacific businesses attended the APEC Business Summit 2023. With the theme “Creating Economic Opportunities: Sustainable. Inclusive. Resilient. Innovative,” the summit included 20 discussion sessions focusing on key concerns of the business community.

President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the APEC Business Summit 2023. Photo: VNA

Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals, President Vo Van Thuong was one of the honored guests at the conference. In his opening remarks for the discussion session on "Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," President Vo Van Thuong pointed out four major contradictions in the current global economy : The widening gap between rich and poor and increasingly serious environmental degradation; the strong trend towards protectionism and segregation; the rapid and remarkable development of science and technology, yet with institutions still limited to the national level, posing unforeseen dangers; and economies pursuing growth models that encourage consumption, even excessive consumption, but are unable to mobilize sufficient resources for the Sustainable Development Goals.

The President emphasized that, in order to continue pursuing the lofty goals that have been set, a new, inclusive, harmonious, and humane mindset is needed.

Accordingly, firstly , it is necessary to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection; secondly, maintaining an open and interconnected global economy while ensuring the economic security of nations; thirdly, global governance of technology (especially artificial intelligence and biotechnology) should not only focus on managing the development of these technologies but also address the socio-economic, cultural, and political consequences of this process; and fourthly , resources should be prioritized for sustainable and inclusive development goals.

According to the President, the business community has always been an important part of the APEC process, making positive contributions to policy development and implementation, as well as promoting new ideas and thinking. The President called on the business community to work alongside the government in fulfilling commitments to sustainable development, pursuing long-term economic, environmental, and social goals; and to increase investment in science and technology, investment in human resources, and investment in building inclusive and resilient communities.

Development for the People's Benefit: Sharing Vietnam's development views and policies with the Asia-Pacific business community, President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that maintaining sustainable economic growth coupled with social progress, equity, and environmental protection, ensuring that all citizens can develop their potential, participate in, and equally enjoy the fruits of development, is a consistent requirement throughout Vietnam's development process. Economic growth coupled with social progress and equity must be implemented in every step, every policy, and throughout the entire development process; social progress, equity, and the environment should not be "sacrificed" for the sake of purely economic growth.

With that perspective, Vietnam is implementing three groups of solutions simultaneously. Firstly, building an independent and self-reliant economy coupled with active and proactive international integration; prioritizing domestic resources as the fundamental, strategic, and decisive factor, while considering external resources as important and breakthroughs. Secondly, strengthening the management and efficient use of resources; protecting the environment and responding to climate change; promoting a green transition towards global climate goals and commitments. Thirdly , creating an environment that encourages the poor and vulnerable to strive for self-improvement through their own efforts, integrate into the community, and eliminate discrimination in society.

President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the APEC Business Summit 2023. Photo: VNA

The President affirmed that in order to achieve the set development goals, Vietnam hopes that businesses will continue to cooperate with Vietnam in consulting, proposing policies and new investment ideas; transferring modern solutions, technologies, and new economic models; and attracting investment capital and supporting development.

With a policy of prioritizing quality, efficiency, high technology, and environmental protection, Vietnam prioritizes attracting investment projects in sectors such as: Science and technology, innovation; Green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge economy; Electronic components, electric vehicles; and Biotechnology, healthcare...

The President emphasized that APEC's success can only be achieved on the basis of friendly and trusting relations among members, the cooperation of businesses and people, and affirmed Vietnam's readiness to work with APEC members and the Asia-Pacific business community to build a bright future for all its people.

Within the framework of APEC 2023, President Vo Van Thuong met and exchanged views with the US-APEC Business Alliance; attended a roundtable discussion connecting Vietnamese and US businesses and localities; received the Governor of California, USA; and met with leaders of corporations such as Apple and Boeing.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/viet-nam-tang-truong-kinh-te-ben-vung-luon-di-doi-voi-thuc-hien-tien-bo-cong-bang-xa-hoi-post714462.html