When standards become a nation's "soft power" in the era of global cooperation

Standards are not just numbers or technical regulations, but “bridges of trust” and the foundation of international cooperation.

Speaking at the World Standards Day Celebration on October 14 with the theme "Standards and Partnerships, Connecting for Action for Sustainable Development", Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh emphasized: Standards are becoming the soft power of the country, where Vietnam affirms its position by modernizing quality infrastructure, developing smart standards and promoting global partnerships for sustainable development goals.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh delivered the opening speech at the ceremony.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh said that October 14th of every year is chosen by the world's three leading standardization organizations, ISO, IEC and ITU, as World Standards Day, to honor efforts contributing to global standardization activities.

Standards are not just dry technical regulations but a bridge of trust, a platform for cooperation and a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development. This year's theme focuses on the United Nations' Goal 17, emphasizing the special role of global partnerships, where standards become a common language for creating value together, Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh added.

Currently, Vietnam has issued more than 14,200 national standards (TCVN), of which 63% are harmonized with international and regional standards, a rate approaching that of developed industrial countries.

TCVNs are increasingly expanding into new fields such as digital transformation, circular economy , renewable energy, smart cities, data security...

The Deputy Minister also affirmed that enterprises are playing an increasingly important role in building and applying standards. Many units have directly participated in the technical committees of ISO and IEC, contributing to raising the status of Vietnamese standards.

According to Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh, in the coming years, the TCVN system will have strong breakthroughs with the amendment and supplementation of the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations, the Law on Product and Goods Quality. The innovative contents focus on reforming the procedures for conformity declaration and recognition of conformity assessment results, creating a more transparent and favorable environment for businesses; at the same time, modernizing the national quality infrastructure, meeting the requirements of digital transformation and green development. In addition, Vietnam will also strengthen the mutual recognition mechanism with international partners, thereby expanding cooperation, promoting deep integration and enhancing national competitiveness.

These innovations are not just legal amendments, but also institutional advances, helping standards become part of the economic management structure, state management and enhancing national competitiveness, the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Head of Standards Committee Nguyen Van Khoi presented a speech at the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Head of the Standards Committee Nguyen Van Khoi introduced the Smart Standards model (SMART), standards that are developed, managed and applied on a digital platform, integrating data and automation. This is a trend being promoted by ISO and IEC through the SMART Project with the OSD (Online Standards Development) platform and a metadata system on standardization, allowing to reduce costs, shorten time and improve the quality of standards.

Mr. Khoi also proposed building a national database on technical standards and regulations, connecting with ISO and IEC; increasing participation in the international OSD platform and training young technical experts within the framework of the IEC/ISO Young Professionals programs.

Within the framework of the celebration, presentations focused on the role of standards in guiding businesses, promoting the triangular cooperation model between the state - businesses - associations, and spreading the spirit of action for sustainable development.

Chairman of the National Committee for Standards, Metrology and Quality Nguyen Nam Hai delivered the closing speech.

In his closing speech, Chairman of the National Committee for Standards, Metrology and Quality Nguyen Nam Hai expressed his belief that with the support of management agencies, associations, businesses, experts and scientists, standards will become a common language of cooperation, a foundation for promoting comprehensive and sustainable development for the country.

Leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Committee for Standards, Metrology and Quality, and the Vietnam Institute of Standards and Quality presented flowers to thank accompanying businesses.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khi-tieu-chuan-tro-thanh-suc-manh-mem-cua-quoc-gia-trong-ky-nguyen-hop-tac-toan-cau-19725101416013153.htm