Vietnam considers human resource development, particularly high-quality human resources, as one of the three strategic breakthroughs (along with comprehensive institutional improvement and infrastructure development) to build and develop the country.

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan, made the statement at the 28th ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting (ALMM-28) held in Singapore recently.

Vietnam pledged to work with other ASEAN member states to implement initiatives and cooperation proposals that have been and will be promoted in the future, aiming for better labor governance, creating a foundation for rapid and sustainable economic development, with priorities given to areas such as digital economy, circular economy, and green economy, he said.

The Deputy Minister stressed that Vietnam and other ASEAN members need to further strengthen cooperation with both traditional and potential partners of the bloc to jointly build a competitive and highly productive labor force that meets international labor standards.

“At this crucial time when ASEAN has experienced 50 years of cooperation in the field of labor and is entering the final stage of implementing the ALMM 2021-2025 Work Program, ASEAN needs to continue strengthening cooperation,” said Mr. Hoan, head of the Vietnam delegation.

“Specifically, in emerging areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, artificial intelligence, building sustainable supply chains, as well as tackling aging societies and emerging diseases, ASEAN should actively contribute to the process of building the ASEAN Vision 2045 and the Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) after 2025.”

At the ALMM-28’s main session, representatives of the ASEAN member countries recognized that the bloc has made significant progress over the past 50 years, expressing their desire to further promote regional cooperation to build a resilient and dynamic workforce by leveraging digital and green transformations, creating more green jobs and enhancing green skills.

The Ministers and Heads of Delegations also supported the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and stressed the importance of strengthening people-centered and comprehensive approaches to labor and employment cooperation in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Strategic Plan after 2025.