Deputy Prime Minister attends High-level Meeting on Global Development Initiative

On September 23 (local time), within the framework of activities at the High-Level Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son attended and spoke at the High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) with the theme "Reaffirming commitments, uniting to create a bright future for global development" hosted by China.

According to a VNA reporter in New York, the meeting was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the Presidents of Angola, Iraq, Kazakhstan, the Prime Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda, Pakistan, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and representatives of most UN member states.

In his opening speech, Chinese Premier Li Qiang affirmed that in the context of increasing unilateralism and protectionism, weakening global economic growth momentum, and increasingly fierce competition for resources, China is willing to cooperate with all parties to promote the implementation of GDI, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and inspire new momentum for global development.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the current context of economic instability, geopolitical tensions and escalating climate risks further underscores the urgent need for effective international cooperation and close coordination; reiterated the “Sevilla Commitment” (April 2025) to close the $4 trillion financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals; called for reform of international financial institutions towards increasing the participation of developing countries; and said that the GDI could be an important mechanism to help accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Several speakers at the Session also appreciated the importance of GDI in creating opportunities for global cooperation and partnership, focusing on people-centered development goals, promoting the role of developing countries and South-South cooperation.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the role of GDI in mobilizing resources and strengthening international cooperation to fulfill sustainable development goals.

To achieve those goals, the Deputy Prime Minister made three proposals: (i) First, promote multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in responding to global challenges, while regional mechanisms such as ASEAN, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, and the Greater Mekong Subregion need to play a more proactive role in supporting South-South cooperation, contributing to enhancing the voice and position of developing countries in the international arena; (ii) Second, ensure the green transition and digital transformation serve all countries and all people, calling on developed countries to support developing countries in improving their capacity to apply digital technology, especially artificial intelligence models, in environmental protection and early warning systems for natural disasters; (iii) Third, prioritize promoting overall digital connectivity in the land, aviation, and maritime sectors to accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals.

On the occasion of attending the High-Level Meeting on GDI, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

In an exchange with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son conveyed the regards of General Secretary To Lam and leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and leaders of the Party and State of China; affirming that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with China at multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

In an exchange with Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to and wishes to continue promoting multifaceted cooperation with Pakistan, especially in the economic and trade fields.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and leaders of other countries took a photo at the United Nations Headquarters at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron to celebrate the upcoming entry into force of the High Seas Agreement. The High Seas Agreement - short for "Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Seas Beyond National Jurisdiction" - opened for signature on September 20, 2023, is the most important international treaty on the sea in the first decades of the 21st century.

Vietnam has actively participated in negotiating the Agreement and is one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Agreement. The Agreement will come into effect from January 17, 2026, 120 days from the date Morocco, the 60th country, submitted its instrument of ratification, on September 19, 2025./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/pho-thu-tuong-du-phien-hop-cap-cao-ve-sang-kien-phat-trien-toan-cau-post1063612.vnp