At the working session of the UNSC (Photo: VNA)
The statement was made by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations (UN), who addressed an online working session of the UN Security Council on November 23 on behalf of the two ASEAN nations.
The two countries shared difficulties facing Somalia, and called on international partners to help the Somalia government ease the adverse impact on socio-economic development, and deal with humanitarian demand.
They vowed to continue working together with the UN, and regional and international organisations to support Somalia, for peace, stability and development.
The nations acknowledged positive developments in Somalia, especially political dialogues between the federal government and member states, aimed at handling their political deadlock since 2018.
They spoke highly of the appointment of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and the establishment of a new cabinet, as well as the agreement reached by the federal government and member states on the general election, slated for late 2020 or early 2021, with 30 percent of parliamentary seats reserved for women.
Vietnamese and Israeli enterprises seek to intensify trade exchange
An Israel-Vietnam B2B matching webinar on consumer products 2020 was held on November 23 for the purpose of connecting Vietnamese producers and exporters with potential Israeli trade partners.
An Israel-Vietnam B2B matching webinar on consumer products 2020 (Source: baotintuc.vn)
The event was held as part of an initiative launched by the Vietnam Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel, with the primary aim to promote the local export of agricultural products, food, footwear, garment and textiles, and consumer goods to the Israeli market amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, due to the impact of COVID-19, the first 10 months of the year saw the nation rake in only US$574.21 million from exports to the Israeli market, of which 50% came from telephones and accessories.
In contrast, the country imported US$717.06 million worth of products from Israel during the reviewed period, mostly computer, electronics and spare parts, and fertiliser.
During the event, both Vietnamese and Israeli businesses put forward the suggestion of launching similar events in the future as a way of helping them to enjoy greater business co-operation opportunities in the future./.
Vietnamese Prime Minister proposes joint actions against COVID-19 at G20 summit
Vietnam appreciates the important results of COVID-19 epidemic prevention of the G20 countries, especially in research and production of vaccines and promotion of macro-policy coordination in economic recovery.
The statement was made by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the G20 Summit in Saudi Arabia.
The Prime Minister also proposed that the G20 needs to strengthen global policy coordination, unite actions and promote multilateral cooperation to weather the COVID-19 crisis.
VOV quoted that Vietnam welcomes the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Bank and other international organizations to continue supporting resources in response to the pandemic, he continued.
He cited Vietnam-led ASEAN’s experience in COVID-19 response in 2020, saying all ASEAN member states have joined hands to bring the outbreak under control, restore the economy, and maintain the momentum of cooperation in order to build the united, resilient community by 2025.
Taking COVID-19 test in Vietnam (Photo for illustration/ Source: VGP)
Accordingly, he said the bloc has established the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, the ASEAN Emergency Operations Centre Network, alongside implementing the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, as well as signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The Vietnamese Prime Minister also proposed that countries actively adapt to the “new normal” period, and synchronously and harmoniously implement economic recovery coupled with ensuring epidemic prevention.
He called for closer cooperation in building vaccine production and supply chains based on an equal and cost-effective approach, and at the same time improving the response capacity on a global scale, reported VOV.
We welcome and expect the G20 countries to first work on vaccine production agreements with global partners through technology transfer along with intellectual property protection, thereby speeding up production and distribution of vaccines on a large scale, Phuc said.
In addition, he went on to say the G20 countries should increase the sharing of experiences, technical and financial assistance for developing countries.
Along with the COVID-19 control, he proposed that the G20 countries facilitate cross-border trade and investment, maintain supply chains, especially for essential goods, food, and medical equipment.
Vietnam supports a fair, free, open, transparent, ruled-based multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation forming the core, Phuc stressed.
The Prime Minister also suggested promoting digital transformation into a new growth engine. He expressed his hope that the G20 will continue to increasing its pioneering role in forming global frameworks, agreements and rules regarding digital economy governance in order to take full advantage of the benefits of the digital economy, while still respecting national and international law.
Nearly 360 Vietnamese citizens in the US were flown home aboard a Vietnam Airlines flight on November 22-23. The passengers included children under 18, the elderly, people with illnesses, students without accommodation, and others in extremely disadvantaged circumstances.
In-flight safety and preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic were rigorously enforced to protect the passengers’ health and prevent the spread of the disease. Upon arrival at the Da Nang International Airport in the central city of the same name, all passengers and crew members received medical check-ups and were sent to quarantine in line with regulations.
The repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in disadvantaged circumstances abroad will continue to be conducted in line with their wishes, the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, and quarantine capacity in Vietnam.
Three more Vietnamese citizens and two foreigners returning from overseas have been diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, bringing the country’s tally of coronavirus infections to 1,312, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Of the two foreign experts, one is an Indian citizen and the other is a Filipino national, the MoH said in its 18.00hrs update. In addition, one of the new cases is a flight attendant living in Ho Chi Minh City. All the five patients were quarantined as soon as they landed in Vietnam, thus posing no risk to the community. They all tested positive for the virus on November 22 and were transferred to health facilities for medical observation and treatment. The new five cases have raised Vietnam’s tally of coronavirus infections to 1,312, including 1,151 recoveries and 35 deaths./.