Phan Xuan Thuy, member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Director, got a reprimand. Vo Van Hoan, member of the municipal Party Committee and member of the Party delegation to and Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee, and former Secretary of the Party Committee and former head of the Office of the municipal People’s Committee, was reprimanded. Vietnam, China promote youth friendship exchangeThe Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee and the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee on June 22 jointly organised the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Exchange Programme 2022. According to the indictment, in 2016, the Hanoi People’s Committee directed units to tackle water pollution in local rivers and lakes by seeking advanced technologies. Paris conference looks to help restart Vietnam - France tourism linksThien Minh Group and Vietnam Airlines held a conference in Paris on June 21 with a view to boosting trade and tourism links between Vietnam and France after the COVID-19 pandemic was controlled.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son talks over phone with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi on June 22. (Photo: VNA)Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son talked over phone with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi on June 22 after Vietnam and Oman celebrated the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (June 9).Son highly valued remarkable developments in cooperation between the two countries over the past three decades in politics, diplomacy, economy and trade, saying they have maintained delegation exchanges and mutual support at international forums, and in natural disaster response and the COVID-19 fight.He viewed economic cooperation as a bright spot in the bilateral ties, with two-way trade hitting 338.1 million USD last year, nearly doubling the figure in the previous year.The Vietnam-Oman Investment (VOI) fund has operated effectively, with an array of projects rolled out in essential fields in Vietnam like water management, agriculture, health care and renewable energy, the minister continued.For his part, the Omani minister lauded achievements Vietnam has recorded in politics, external relations, economy and social affairs, and affirmed that Oman always attaches importance to promoting its multi-faceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.The two ministers shared the view that there is still ample room for the bilateral cooperation, especially in economy, trade, investment, labour, agriculture, fishery and seaports.Regarding measures to consolidate and improve the efficiency of cooperation, they said Vietnam and Oman should step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly the high-level one, continue their close coordination at international forums and organisations, and maintain the existing cooperation mechanisms such as the inter-governmental committee and political consultation between the two foreign ministries.To create breakthroughs in economic collaboration, the ministers stressed that the two countries need to coordinate in trade and investment promotion, increase information exchange and business connectivity, and speed up negotiations of major cooperation agreements to consolidate the legal framework for the bilateral cooperation.Son used the occasion to invite the Omani minister to visit Vietnam, and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.The same day, Son hosted a reception for Abdulnasser Alshaali, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hanoi.

The seminar on energy transition held in Hanoi on June 22. (Photo: qdnd.vn)– To develop a green and sustainable economy and adapt to climate change, Vietnam has been stepping up energy transition by capitalising on internal strength and enhancing cooperation with development partners, an official has said.Addressing a seminar in Hanoi on June 22, Hoang Tien Dung, Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said as Vietnam is a dynamic economy with fast growth for many consecutive years, demand for energy, especially electricity, has been on the rise.With its own efforts and assistance from partners, the country is gradually reducing power sources using fossil fuel and promoting new, clean, and renewable energy , he said, noting that this is also an inevitable trend that helps guarantee a sustainable economy.So far, Vietnam has obtained certain results in increasing the share of renewable power in its power system. It is planning to develop lower-carbon power generation and accelerate fuel transition in the coming time, Dung said.However, the official pointed out that the emergence of new electricity sources has also posed the system to sustainability and stability challenges, which requires coordination in terms of both policy and technology to ensure trustworthy power generation.Sean M. Lawlor, an energy expert from the US Embassy, said as a long-term partner of Vietnam, the US is recommending Vietnam to take creative policy measures to attract foreign investment and step up energy transition so as to help implement the commitments Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).Narendra Asnani, director for services at GE Gas Power in Asia, said lower-carbon energy sources like gas and such solutions as hydrogen and carbon capture technologies can help Vietnam achieve carbon neutrality.With its long-term presence in Vietnam and the commitment to help boost local economic growth through the application of the newest energy efficient technologies, GE is providing suitable solutions and global experience for Vietnam to meet current demand and sustain growth, he added.At the seminar, experts proposed several measures for boosting energy transition in Vietnam.Coal-fired power is making up one-third of Vietnam’s total output. The country looks to reduce the proportion of this type of electricity to about 9.5 percent and raise renewable energy to 32 percent by 2045. It is also encouraging low-carbon power sources to cut down emissions and support renewable energy./.

Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting its traditional friendship and cooperation with Mozambique and regards the country as a key partner in Africa, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at a meeting with President of the Mozambican Assembly Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias in Hanoi on June 21.PM Chinh congratulated Mozambique on its election as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2023-2024 tenure for the first time, and noted his belief that the country will fulfill its membership, significantly contributing to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and the world.He highlighted the positive development in the bilateral relations over the past time, especially in politics-diplomacy, telecommunications, agriculture, trade and education.Vietnam and Mozambique have maintained the exchange of delegations via the Party and State channels, as well as mutual support at multilateral forums, he said, adding that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the bilateral cooperation has been enhanced, as reflected through the online talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO) and President of the Republic of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on June 6, 2022, and the ongoing visit by the President of the Assembly.Economic collaboration between the two countries has also developed dynamically with Movitel, a joint venture between Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group of Vietnam and Mozambique's company SPI, being a bright spot.Emphasising that there is large room for cooperation between the two countries, PM Chinh said Vietnam stands ready to share its experience in development, external affairs and integration with Mozambique.He also suggested measures to deepen the bilateral ties, and noted his hope that the two legislatures will support the implementation.Accordingly, the two sides should increase the exchange of delegations, especially at the high level via the Party and State channels, as well as people-to-people exchanges to tighten their political trust and create new impulse for partnerships across spheres, particularly economy, the PM said.He also urged the two sides to raise the operation efficiency of the inter-governmental committee and continue their mutual support at multilateral forums.The PM called on Mozambique to support Vietnam’s and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s stance on peacefully addressing disputes, and ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.The two countries should work to raise their bilateral trade revenue by facilitating market access, trade promotion and business connectivity, supporting each other in diversifying supply chains and expanding the market in Africa and Asia, PM Chinh said.The government leader also suggested fostering cooperation in education and health care, saying Vietnam is willing to increase scholarships for Mozambican students, send more medical experts to the African nation, and consider expanding collaboration in other fields like energy, processing industry, culture and tourism.The PM expressed his hope that the Mozambican Assembly will adopt more policies facilitating the investment by foreign firms, including those from Vietnam, not only big groups but also small- and medium-sized enterprises.For her part, Bias congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 pandemic containment, and spoke highly of the country’s role in the region and the world, especially within the frameworks of ASEAN and the United Nations.Mozambique backs the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue, she affirmed.The President of the Assembly also emphasised that Mozambique considers Vietnam one of the most important partners in Asia, and highly valued Vietnam’s cooperation, support and investment in Mozambique in agriculture and telecoms.Bias pledged to support the enhancement of cooperation between the two governments, especially the implementation of the measures proposed by the Vietnamese PM./.

Can Tho (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 21 asked the Mekong Delta – Vietnam’s biggest food basket – to make most of the Party and State’s policies dedicated to the region for its further development and a better life of its people. The PM made the request while chairing a conference to announce a master plan and investment promotion programme for the region in the 2021-2030 period, with the theme "Mekong Delta: New thinking - New vision - New opportunities - New values”. He said that the conference and related events are of significance, containing the Party, State and people’s expectations and confidence in promoting the region’s socio-economic development, and contributing to concretising the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution as well as the Party, State and Government’s major policies on the regional development in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. In the immediate future, regional localities should focus on well implementing the COVID-19 prevention and control to facilitate socio-economic development, bettering the regional planning, and considering it a key task in the coming time. They also emphasised the role and position of Can Tho as the centre of the Mekong Delta in regional development linkage; and proposed orientations to promote development links between the region with Ho Chi Minh City and the southern key economic region.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)– Despite difficulties in the first five months of this year, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) managed to increase its production, contributing to ensuring national energy security.At a recent meeting, PetroVietnam General Director Le Manh Hung noted that the Russia-Ukraine conflicts have exceeded 100 days, causing a disruption in supply chains and pushing up the prices of energy and foods, as well as transportation, materials and equipment, affecting PetroVietnam’s operation.Meanwhile, the reserve of all old oil wells are falling, while the majority of newly-exploited wells are small in scale.However, with great efforts in maintaining and increasing its production, the firm’s May crude oil exploitation reached 0.92 million tonnes, exceeding its target for the month by 18 percent. The result pushed the production in the first five months of this year to 4.55 million tonnes, surpassing the plan by 22 percent and completing 52 percent of its yearly goal.The production and supply of other products such as gas, electricity and nitrogen were also high, meeting the market’s demand. Petroleum production (excluding the output of Nghi Son Refinery Plant) hit 578,900 tonnes in May and 2.79 million tonnes in the first five months, exceeding the target for the month by 6 percent, equivalent to 45 percent of the yearly target. Nitrogen production reached 150,200 tonnes in May and 776,400 tonnes in the first five months, he noted.Hung underlined that thanks to stable business and production operation, the firm enjoyed positive financial results.In the first five months of 2022, PetroVietnam’s revenue was estimated at 372.2 trillion VND (16 billion USD), exceeding the set target by 63 percent and fulfilling 67 percent of the yearly plan, representing a rise of 58 percent year on year. It paid 52.8 trillion VND to the State budget in the period, he added.Along with speeding up the implementation of major projects, including the Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant which was put into operation on May 12, PetroVietnam also strengthened international cooperation activities in oil and gas activities as well as energy transition and digital transformation, said Hung./.

Read full story - Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang is leading a high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam to attend the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Read full story - A get-together for former experts of Ho Chi Minh City who assisted the Cambodian revolution in the 1979-1989 period was organised on June 21 as part of activities to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic ties. The exhibition spotlights the lives of soldiers and locals and their desire and determination to safeguard the sovereignty of the country. Read full story - The techno-pop-rock band Gute Gute from Israel will 'salute' crowds in the capital at a free-entrance show titled The Israeli Dream Beat at the August Revolution Square in Hanoi on June 23. Read full story.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party’s Committee Nguyen Van Nen meets with Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on June 20. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party’s Committee Nguyen Van Nen on June 20 had a meeting with Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu as part of his visit to India Welcoming Nen, Naidu, who is also Chairman of the Council of States of India, said 2022 is of significance to the Vietnam-India relations as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year (1972 – 2022).Given that Vietnam, including HCM City, boasts great advantages in agricultural production, Vice President Naidu wishes the two sides to further support and share experience with each other to develop agriculture and ensure food security in India.Nen, for his part, thanked the Government and people of India for their timely support for the southern city when it was battling the COVID-19 outbreak, saying the city has kept the virus at bay and been seeing strong socio-economic recovery. HCM City is standing firm as the main engine of the Vietnamese economy, he said.He went on to highly appreciate the Indian community in HCM City for playing a part in promoting Indian culture in Vietnam and strengthening the bilateral ties. There is huge potential for the two sides to expand cooperation in the fields of defence-security, trade, information technology, digital transformation, tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy, the city leader said.HCM City is looking forward to fully unleashing potential for growing bilateral partnership in tourism after a direct flight has been launched between the two countries.Nen later paid a courtesy call to President of the Indian People’s Party Prakash Nadda during which they spent much of their time discussing about Party building.He later met with Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and paid a courtesy visit to Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)./.

Nguyen Phuong Nga (right), President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), and Mozambican Assembly Speaker Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias (Photo: VNA)Vietnam’s CT Group opens its representative office in Tel Aviv, Israel on June 19. The opening ceremony sees two memoranda of understanding signed between CT Group and Israeli corporations. The meeting took place following the celebration of the 45th anniversary of Hun Sen’s journey to overthrow the Pol Pot genocidal regime. The decision was made during the ongoing 41st General Conference of UNESCO in Paris on November 23 last year. Read full story.

A conference on cyber security to protect key national informational systems was held in HCM City on June 17. (Photo: VNA)Vietnam need to focus on reinforcing its cyber security to protect important information systems of the State and businesses, experts said.Vietnam’s digital economy is expected to reach 43 billion USD by 2025. However, it has been facing many dangerous, complicated and large-scale cyberattacks The country is among the top 10 nations most exposed to cyber attacks and malware, and ranked seventh in terms of countries with the most cyber crime victims.Vietnam recorded nearly 5,500 instances of cyber attacks in the first five months of the year, including malware attacks, phishing attempts and website defacement (changing visual appearance of a website).During a conference on information security held on June 17, Colonel Do Minh Kim, deputy head of Office 3 of the Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention Department under the Ministry of Public Security, said that there have been many Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) conducted against crucial information systems of the State and businesses.Cyber attacks mainly make use of security holes in routers, security software, online meeting applications, and public service portals.They have caused a tremendous amount of damage to businesses’ cyber security and operations, he said.“Implementing national security strategies, and developing more cyber security products and services for locals, businesses and organisations are very important. Ensuring cyber security is among Vietnam’s top priorities to facilitate digital transformation.”Nguyen Van Tuan, information security consultant from VNPT Information Technology Company, said that information security risks can come from data harvesting systems extracting data from databases.Businesses and organisations need to be able to quickly detect anything that accesses or queries into their databases that do not follow their information safety policies, and deal with them in a timely manner.Databases also need to be kept up-to-date so that they can quickly recognise information security risks and deploy countermeasures.The conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City by the Cyber Security and Hi-tech Crime Prevention Department and International Data Group Vietnam./.

Vietnam has adopted an array of measures to improve its attraction of foreign direct investment, or FDI. This is a vivid illustration of Vietnam identifying infrastructure breakthroughs as new drivers of economic growth. Flexibility in policies to improve the investment climate and legal support have also helped boost investor confidence, making contributions to branching out the local economy. With robust signs of economic recovery, a stable political situation, sound control over the pandemic, and the hospitality of localities in key economic zones, Vietnam continues to be an ideal destination for investment from the country. Vietnam and the Republic of Korea are celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, member of the UN International Law Commission for 2023 - 2027, speaks at the talk show. (Photo: VNA)Participants in the talk show. Tran Cong Truc, former head of the Government’s boundary committee, said the convention opened up a new legal corridor for countries to base themselves on to protect and manage their rights and legitimate interests in the seas and oceans.Talking via videoconferencing, Prof. Carl Thayer, a leading researcher on UNCLOS and international maritime law from Australia’s University of New South Wales, said the feature that can be found only in UNCLOS is that this convention sets up a binding mechanism for settling disputes. With the National Assembly’s ratification on June 23, 1994, Vietnam clearly showed its will to exercise the rights within permissible limitations of UNCLOS, with other states’ freedom rights taken into consideration.Regarding Vietnam’s Law of the Sea, participants affirmed that the UNCLOS membership requires the country to issue a particular and overall law of the sea . That law, on the basis of UNCLOS and international law, was approved by the parliament on June 21, 2012 and took effect on January 1, 2013.This was an important milestone in the development of Vietnam’s legal system in general and the regulations on maritime issues in particular, they added./.

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries over the weekend by the Vietnam News Agency. This is the first visit to Vietnam by Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias in her current post since taking office in January 2020. It is also the first by a president of Mozambique’s legislative body to promote joint works between the two parliaments. Read full story- A meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Land Border Demarcation and Marker Planting at chair level took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from June 13-17. Read full story- Vietnam won a gold medal at the 17th Aerobic Gymnastics World Championship which concluded on June 18 in Guimaraes, Portugal.

These pilot projects focused on researching and implementing solutions to the plastic waste problem and improving the collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste inland and in ports. Vietnam is currently one of the top countries discharging plastic waste into the ocean. 80 percent of plastic waste in Vietnam comes from inland, and only 20 percent comes from fisheries. As Vietnam is committed to solving plastic waste, the country has legalised many aspects of the solution to these problems, and the government have set a goal to reduce plastic waste in the ocean by 2030. The proposals given by Vietnam at the meeting will become the common assets of Vietnam and India during their future partnership, he stated.

"Rethinking Plastics" helped policymakers build strategies for improving plastic waste management, as well as sustainable consumption and production of plastics and ways to deal with plastic waste in the ocean. 80 percent of plastic waste in Vietnam comes from inland, and only 20 percent comes from fisheries.As Vietnam is committed to solving plastic waste, the country has legalised many aspects of the solution to these problems, and the government have set a goal to reduce plastic waste in the ocean by 2030. "Plastic waste affects all of us," said Astrid Schomaker, Director-General of Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism of the European Commission. Through the project, we have collaborated closely with government agencies of Vietnam to share our experiences and help Vietnam alleviate the threat of plastic waste in the ocean. "We hope that these activities can open up new ideas and policies that help reduce waste, improve the quality of recycling, and support the procedures that are related to the design, transport, distribution, consumption, management and handling of plastic waste in Vietnam.