Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a keynote address at a policy dialogue on Vietnam’s global vision held during the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 16 (local time), according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

It was one of eight policy dialogues featuring heads of States and governments organized by the WEF, and reflected its positive evaluation of Vietnam’s international role, position, achievements, vision, and development prospects.

Participating was Professor Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and Executive Chairman, along with 100 leaders and representatives from various countries, international organizations, corporations, and businesses that are members of the WEF. Renowned international relations commentator Thomas Friedman from The New York Times and author of the book “The World is Flat” assumed the role of coordinator.

Professor Schwab expressed his delight at welcoming Prime Minister Chinh for the first time to the WEF Davos meeting, hailing Vietnam not only as a star in East Asia but also a nation in the process of ascending as an economically-influential player on the global stage. He also highly praised Vietnam’s role as one of the trailblazers in the development of a green and smart economy.

Sharing a similar view as Professor Schwab, Mr. Friedman described Vietnam as an exemplary model of reform and development, internationally recognized for its rapid and sustainable economic progress. In his coordinating role, he expressed a keen interest in understanding Vietnam’s experiences, development directions, and contributions to the global problem-solving process.

In his speech, Prime Minister Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s key directions and stance throughout its nation-building and development process and its great achievements of historical significance during nearly 40 years of reform.

Drawing on these successes, he outlined five major lessons, including steadfastly pursuing the path of socialism, maintaining a consistent stance on a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification of external ties, and being a trusted friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community; considering the people the architects of history; upholding the strength of great national unity; combining the power of the nation with the power of the current era; and upholding the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Building upon these lessons, the Prime Minister offered two suggestions to other nations. He proposed that they identify resources, starting from mindsets, motivation rooted in innovation, and strength derived from the people. He also underscored the role of international solidarity and multilateralism in addressing global challenges.

The second suggestion was placing people at the center, as the main subject, the most crucial resource, the driving force, and the ultimate goal of development. Accordingly, people should be directly involved in and benefit from policies.

In response to Mr. Friedman’s query regarding Vietnam’s stance on balancing relations with major powers, the Prime Minister underscored the country’s status as one of the most adversely affected since World War 2, enduring persistent impacts from war, blockades, and sanctions. Nevertheless, Vietnam has put the past aside, overcome differences, promoted similarities, and aimed towards the future to turn adversaries into friends.

He asserted that the recent visits to Vietnam by Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden demonstrate the unwavering political trust between the country and the two partners, as well as its foreign policy of independence and self-reliance for peace, cooperation, development, prosperity, multilateralism, and diversification.

Highlighting several priority areas for Vietnam in the near future, including digital transformation, science and technology, AI, and green transition, the Prime Minister viewed these as both objective requirements and strategic choices.

Regarding the semiconductor field, he spoke of Vietnam’s endeavor in developing strategic infrastructure, particularly in information technology, and disclosed plans to train 50,000 - 100,000 engineers in the time to come.

Addressing AI, he affirmed Vietnam’s proactive approach in leveraging its advantages and mitigating its negative aspects, starting with building a national database, refining investment attraction policies, and boosting the effectiveness of human resources training.

He stressed the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to further developing three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure, and human resources, creating the most favorable conditions possible for foreign companies to engage in cooperative endeavors, based on maximizing mutual trust, hope, and determination. He said he hopes businesses will integrate production, consumption, research, and training.

Vietnam also stands among countries most severely impacted by climate change, and the Prime Minister underscored its commitment at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Vietnam has worked to adapt to landslides, drought, and other natural disasters, implementing an innovative initiative of cultivating 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emissions rice, which aligns with global sustainability trends and promotes Vietnam’s crucial role in ensuring global food security.

His remarks received high praise from delegates at the session, which featured an open and interactive format and diverse media coverage that effectively disseminated the message of a Vietnam with a new great plan, potential, position, and credibility.