Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) and Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday highlighted Amandeep Singh Gill's presence in Việt Nam as a testament to the United Nations' commitment to fostering international cooperation in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and innovation.

Amandeep Singh Gill serves as the Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology.

During a meeting with Gill, who is on a working visit to Hà Nội, PM Chính emphasised the strategic importance of these fields for the development of individual nations and their role in shaping the future of humanity.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment as a responsible member of the international community, valuing the UN’s principles of multilateralism, peace, and sustainable development. He also acknowledged the UN’s increasing leadership in maintaining global peace, security, and sustainable development, particularly in advancing science, technology, and digital transformation.

PM Chính praised Amandeep Singh Gill’s personal contributions, including his role in promoting the recently adopted Global Digital Compact at the Future Summit.

The Prime Minister informed Gill that Việt Nam regards science, technology, and innovation as essential requirements, strategic priorities, and key drivers of national development.

In particular, digital transformation, big data, cloud computing, quantum technology, semiconductors, clean energy, and new materials are identified as key drivers of national development.

Việt Nam is striving for an eight per cent growth rate this year and aims for double-digit growth in the years ahead to achieve its vision of becoming a modern industrial nation by 2030 and a high-income country by 2045.

The country has adopted several key programmes and strategies, including the National Digital Transformation Programme to 2025, with a Vision to 2030, and the National Strategy on Research, Development, and Application of Artificial Intelligence to 2030. Most recently, on 22 December 2022, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on Breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, establishing the Central Steering Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, and National Digital Transformation. The committee is led by Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính serving as deputy head.

Amandeep Singh Gill expressed his gratitude to PM Chính for the meeting and congratulated Việt Nam on its growing prominence in science, technology, and innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence.

Gill noted that his visit aimed to advance the outcomes of the UN Secretary-General’s visit to Việt Nam in 2022 and the recent meeting between the UN Secretary-General and Party General Secretary Tô Lâm at the Future Summit. He emphasised that digital technology presents a transformative opportunity for countries to accelerate development, with Việt Nam exemplifying this potential.

The United Nations is actively promoting cooperation and strengthening solidarity in technological development, with a particular focus on the implementation and international collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI). The UN emphasises its pivotal role in shaping the future of AI and ensuring equal opportunities for all in this transformative field.

One of the UN's key initiatives is advancing the Global Digital Compact, which provides a comprehensive framework for the global governance of digital technologies and AI. Additionally, the UN is championing the AI Governance Policy Forum, aimed at unifying a common approach to AI governance, fostering knowledge exchange, learning, and global connectivity to accelerate progress, build capacity, and share the benefits of AI widely.

Recognising Việt Nam's progress and potential as an emerging global power, the UN encourages the country to actively engage in these initiatives. It envisions Vietnamese technology enterprises not only contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development but also addressing global challenges, particularly in developing countries.

Expressing his gratitude and extending New Year greetings, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính invited UN Secretary-General António Guterres to visit Việt Nam in the near future. The Prime Minister expressed agreement with the UN Deputy Secretary-General’s views and voiced strong support for the UN's initiatives.

PM Chính affirmed Việt Nam's readiness to host or co-organise international events aimed at fostering mutual understanding and multilateral cooperation in technology and AI, including hosting the AI Governance Policy Forum.

The Prime Minister also proposed that the UN continue supporting Việt Nam in several key areas: developing a legal framework and international standards for technology management, facilitating technology transfer, and providing workforce training, particularly in the field of AI. — VNS