HÀ NỘI — Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn suggested the Mekong region and Japan prioritise the implementation of two important goals that are full control of the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
He was speaking at the 14th Mekong-Japan Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting held online on Friday.
The meeting discussed cooperation orientations between the Mekong and Japan in the future.
On that basis, Minister Sơn proposed that the Mekong-Japan cooperation strategy in the future needed to be based on three pillars of dynamic and responsive economy, people-centred healthy society and a green and digital Mekong.
With these pillars, he suggested Mekong countries and Japan to cooperate in the following orientations.
First, promoting cooperation in production, technology transfer and distribution of vaccines in a timely and effective manner; and enhancing response capacity of the medical system.
Second, enhancing cooperation in sustainable development, climate change adaptation and sustainable management of water resources; and effectively implementing the Mekong-Japan Initiatives for Sustainable Development Goals towards 2030 and Investment Partnership for Mekong Sustainable Development Goal.
Third, promoting Mekong-Japan cooperation, particularly in the fields of infrastructure development investment; diversifying supply chains, support the development of the auxiliary industry; and effectively implementing and taking advantage of regional free trade agreements.
Fourth, fostering cooperation in digital transformation, construction of e-government, digital economy and digital society; paying attention to developing digital infrastructure; and bridging the digital gap between urban and rural areas.
Finally, promoting the connection between the Mekong-Japan cooperation with the construction process of the ASEAN Community and other Mekong cooperation mechanisms.
Minister Sơn applauded Japan’s support for the fight against COVID-19 in the region and spoke highly of the Mekong-Japan cooperation for its active contribution to the socio-economic development of Mekong countries.
He noted that in spite of the development of the pandemic, Mekong countries and Japan still maintained high-level meetings and bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms as well as supported each other in pandemic prevention and control and promoted cooperation in many fields.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministers stressed the need to enhance coordination in common efforts in pandemic prevention and control and economic recovery.
They agreed to promote cooperation in vaccine research, production and distribution, ensuring effective vaccine access in a timely manner; increasing regional connection, enhancing trade and investment and diversifying supply chains; developing the economy coupled with protecting the environment, enhancing climate change adaptation and sustainably using Mekong water resources; developing high-quality infrastructure; and promoting green growth, digital transformation and innovation in connection with technology transfer. — VNS