GENEVA — Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang met leaders of international organisations and foreign officials on the sidelines of the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 27-28.

At a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, the two sides agreed to coordinate in organising activities marking 50 years since the visit to the liberated zone in the south of Việt Nam by leader Fidel Castro Ruz (September 1973) and the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Việt Nam (September 1963).

Quang suggested the two countries effectively implement outcomes of the 40th meeting of their Inter-governmental Committee which took place in December 2022.

Việt Nam will promote cooperation projects on rice, food and aquatic products, and encourage firms from both sides to seek investment and business opportunities, he continued.

Parrilla affirmed that the relationship with Việt Nam remains a top priority of Cuba.

The officials consented to closely coordinate and support each other at international forums, especially in the context of Cuba assuming the Presidency of G77+China, and both Việt Nam and Cuba serving as members of the UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025.

Meeting Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi, Quang stressed that Việt Nam will closely coordinate with and support Indonesia in performing the ASEAN Chairmanship 2023, and maintain the coordination at regional and international multilateral forums.

Marsudi also emphasised that Việt Nam is a priority partner of Indonesia, and agreed to step up the bilateral cooperation across spheres in the future.

On this occasion, Quang met French FM Catherine Colonna, during which the Deputy PM suggested the two sides effectively materialise the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and urged France to raise its voice so that the EU will soon remove the “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood.

Colonna stated that France always considers Việt Nam a priority partner in the region, saying the two countries should enhance all-level delegation exchanges this year as they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and 10 years of the signing of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The French side promised to coordinate with Việt Nam in addressing the “yellow card” issue.

The two sides said they will coordinate with each other at regional and international forums, especially as both are holding membership of the Human Rights Council.

At another meeting with Palestine’s FM Riad Al-Malki, Quang affirmed Việt Nam’s consistent stance of supporting Palestinians’ struggle for justice and fundamental national rights.

Việt Nam is willing to create favourable conditions for Palestine to organise activities promoting its culture and enhancing economic and trade links in Hà Nội, he said.

The Palestinian FM noted that his country always regards Việt Nam as a successful model in socio-economic development.

The two sides concurred to foster cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement.

Quang also met FM of Maldives Abdulla Shahid, during which the officials agreed to intensify all-level delegation exchanges, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and people-to-people exchanges, while boosting partnerships in areas such as tourism and aquaculture.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang had talks with UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi in Geneva. — Photo from the Government Portal

On this occasion, Quang had a working session with UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi, where the Vietnamese official proposed the two sides partner with other countries in achieving sustainable development goals by 2030.

Quang suggested the General Assembly help Việt Nam fulfil its climate commitments by coordinating efforts in order to call on developed nations to provide resources in climate change response.

Kőrösi lauded Việt Nam as one of the leading countries in responding to climate change and promoting human rights at the Human Rights Council.

The President expressed his hope that Việt Nam will back the initiative on a global water information system which is expected to be presented at the UN 2023 Water Conference this month.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang met WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva. — VNA/VNS Photo

At a meeting with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Quang said Việt Nam will closely coordinate with the WTO and other countries in implementing commitments in the Geneva Package and handling issues regarding the “special and differential treatment” to developing countries.

Okonjo-Iweala said she would like to visit Việt Nam this year, expressing her hope that Việt Nam will be one of the first to ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and coordinate in organising the 13th Ministerial Conference scheduled for February 2024.

Meeting Petteri Taalas, Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Quang appealed to the organisation to continue its assistance to Việt Nam in developing meteorological and hydrological products and services, and the national climate service framework, modernising infrastructure and utilising technologies and AI in forecasting and improving the capacity for warning and hydrographic monitoring in the South China Sea.

Taalas hailed the hydro-meteorological forecasting capacity of Việt Nam, calling it a successful model and an important centre for the region in this field.

During a meeting with Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Quang affirmed that Việt Nam will continue fulfilling its ILO membership by promoting fundamental principles and rights at work, making reports on its implementation of ILO conventions to which the country is a member, and considering joining the remainder.

Houngbo said he hopes that Việt Nam will send representatives to the 111th International Labour Conference this June.

At a meeting with Director General of the UN at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya, the Deputy PM called on the UN to help Việt Nam in multilateral diplomatic activities in general, especially during the country’s membership at the Human Rights Council, and in enhancing cooperation with UN organisations.

Valovaya said she hopes that Việt Nam will support the UN’s initiative on encouraging countries to select 17 outstanding women representing the 17 sustainable goals, and hold an exhibition on them. — VNS