Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn speaks at the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Consolidating traditional growth engines while optimising new ones is among the key tasks set out by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn at a conference on the 2024 economic diplomacy in Hà Nội on February 22.

Others include promoting innovations in the research, consultancy and forecasting work, and raising the efficiency of economic diplomacy as well as the coordinating role of the Steering Committee for Economic Diplomacy, Sơn said while chairing the conference.

To complete these tasks, the minister suggested further utilising traditional driving forces to expand export opportunities and attract high-quality investments; reviewing and materialising international commitments and agreements in foreign affairs; keeping a close watch on the international economic situation; and integrating economic diplomacy activities into the development of localities and businesses, among other measures.

It requires innovations and changes in both mindset and action to fulfill the tasks the Party, State, and Government assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sơn stressed.

Reviewing external relations and economic diplomacy last year, the minister said they helped generate new development opportunities and advance the country’s position and reputation.

He also highlighted the successful trip by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to Davos, Switzerland, for the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) and his official visits to Hungary and Romania in January 2024.

The same month, Việt Nam welcomed high-ranking delegations from Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Bulgaria, with many important agreements signed, the official continued.

He asked heads of agencies at home and Vietnamese representative offices abroad to closely follow the Government’s instructions on socio-economic development, and the reality in sectors, localities and enterprises in order to mobilise resources for strategic breakthroughs, making economic diplomacy truly a strong driving force for national rapid and sustainable development. — VNA/VNS