Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) to enhance their support for Vietnam’s trade, investment, and long-term economic goals. In discussions held in Switzerland, Thắng emphasized Vietnam’s dedication to a global trading system that is based on established rules. He called on the WTO to expedite its reforms, reactivate its dispute settlement mechanism, and expand its focus to include emerging areas like digital trade, artificial intelligence, climate change, and supply chain resilience.
Thắng outlined Vietnam’s ambition to achieve high-income status by the year 2045 and extended an invitation to the WEF to deepen its cooperation with Vietnam. He proposed that this could be done through fostering investment, innovation, public-private partnerships, and the development of international financial centers. This approach, he suggested, would support Vietnam’s economic trajectory and align with its broader developmental objectives.
The meetings underscored Vietnam’s proactive stance in engaging with global economic institutions to bolster its economic framework. Thắng’s appeal to the WTO and WEF reflects Vietnam’s strategic prioritization of international cooperation and reform, particularly in sectors poised for rapid growth and transformation. His call for the WTO to address critical areas such as digital and climate issues highlights the country’s forward-looking approach to global economic challenges.
Officials from the WTO and WEF responded positively to Vietnam’s economic initiatives, expressing their support for continued collaboration on trade, investment, and capacity-building. They acknowledged Vietnam’s progressive reforms and recognized the potential for mutual benefits through enhanced partnerships and shared economic development goals.