Senior leaders welcome Lao top legislator

Building on more than 50 years of friendship and the newly established Strategic Partnership framework, Vietnam–Canada relations as a whole, as well as cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies in particular, would continue to develop in an increasingly substantive and effective manner, for the benefit of the people of both countries and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam regards Canada as a friend and a trusted partner with which it shares many common interests and strategic perspectives, said top leader To Lam.

The parliamentary friendship groups of Vietnam and Canada should increase delegation exchanges and contacts among parliamentarians, specialised committees, women parliamentarians, and young parliamentarians; promote joint activities and the sharing of experience in legislation and oversight; and further play their role in building broad consensus within the Canadian Parliament and society on strengthening relations with Vietnam.

The top Vietnamese leader said the two countries' decision to elevate their relations to a Strategic Partnership comes as a result of more than five decades of friendship and cooperation, reflecting their commitment to jointly investing in the future.

Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its relations with Canada, and highly valued the important progress in bilateral relations after nearly a decade of implementing the Comprehensive Partnership framework, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam.

General Secretary and President To Lam voiced his hope that the visit will open a new chapter in Vietnam–Canada relations, reflecting a new level of political trust, increasingly close alignment of interests and visions, as well as the determination of both countries to build a long-term, stable and substantive relationship and make it a model of cooperation between two countries on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean.

General Secretary and President Lam affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam highly value and stand ready to engage in close, comprehensive, and extensive cooperation with Mongolia across all sectors in line with the Vietnam-Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership framework, with a particular focus on economy, trade, investment, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Appreciating Vietnam’s active and pioneering engagement in security, political affairs, sustainable development and a just energy transition, Secretary-General Guterres expressed his hope that Vietnam will continue to play a strong role in the world’s transformation, contribute to efforts to address climate change under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and promote emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Pfizer and VNVC expressed pride in their longstanding cooperation towards the shared goal of helping improve the health and quality of life of Vietnamese people, and voiced their wish to continue discussions and explore further opportunities to protect and improve public health.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam held meetings with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, Swiss President Guy Parmelin, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in New York on September 22 afternoon (local time).

Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan and heads of three leading UN development agencies – UNDP Administrator Alexander de Croo, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita – exchanged the Country Programme Documents (CPD) for the 2027–2031 period between the Government of Vietnam and these respective agencies.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasised that Vietnam chooses peace, cooperation, and development. As an active member, a trustworthy partner, and a responsible nation, it will persistently work with other countries to strengthen the UN, uphold international law, and translate commitments into tangible benefits for the people, thereby building a peaceful, equitable, inclusive, and better world for all.

The high-level General Debate of UNGA 81 runs from September 22 to 28. It serves as a crucial forum for world leaders to share visions and seek solutions to pressing global issues.

General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that Vietnam and Fiji promote cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, sustainable renewable energy, emission reduction, and climate change adaptation.

Regarding the Vietnam–US relationship, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that the value of a sense of responsibility has become increasingly evident. To achieve the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership today, the two countries have to overcome losses, differences, and a lack of trust.

Vietnam considers the US one of its most strategically important partners and wishes to work with the US to ensure that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries develops in a stable, substantive, effective and sustainable manner, contributing positively to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond, said top leader To Lam.

Ahead of the upcoming visit to Canada by Party General Secretary and President To Lam, following his participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel shared his insights on the historic significance of this event and the future trajectory of the bilateral relationship.

NA President Tran Thanh Man described the draft amended Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment as particularly important, saying the revision is not simply about amending several provisions but represents a change in the model of marine governance.

General Secretary and President To Lam stressed that Vietnam always welcomes and values all contributions, whether made directly or from afar. Joining hands to contribute to the homeland, he said, embodies the spirit of “shared national roots and compatriot solidarity”.

Regular exchanges between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties serve not only as vivid evidence of the close and trusted ties between the two Parties, but also as a forum for sharing theoretical achievements and practical experience in building and improving political systems to meet new development requirements.