General Secretary, President: Foreign affairs need to take advantage of resources for science and technology

General Secretary and President To Lam said that foreign affairs need to promote its pioneering role, prioritizing resources for science, technology, and innovation.

Speaking at the opening session of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference on August 1 in Hanoi, General Secretary and President To Lam pointed out the key tasks that the diplomatic sector and foreign affairs agencies need to focus on, including continuing to innovate thinking, improving the quality of research, forecasting and strategic advice.

General Secretary and President said that research needs to be one step ahead, helping Party and State leaders to early recognize trends, opportunities, and risks, avoiding strategic surprises. Research must focus on issues that have a direct, long-term impact on security and development such as adjusting the strategies of major countries, shifting economic, technological and power centers.

Vostuations in trade, finance, energy, water resources, issues such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital economy, green transition, cybersecurity and data security also need to be studied early and thoughtfully by the diplomatic sector. deep.

General Secretary and President requested the diplomatic sector to deepen and improve the effectiveness of foreign relations. The established and upgraded relationship frameworks must be concretized by action programs and projects with measurable results.

“Upgrading relationships is opening a new path, not completing the job. After each high-level visit, there must be an implementation plan. Each agreement must clearly state the presiding agency, responsibilities, progress and how to check,” the General Secretary and President emphasized.

“The effectiveness of the relationship does not lie in the frequency of contact or the name of the framework. The main measure is that the peaceful environment is strengthened, the country’s interests are protected, the market is expanded, projects are formed, technology and human resources are improved, and the people benefit,” he added.

The General Secretary and President affirmed that foreign affairs need to serve development, taking actual effectiveness as a measure, with the top priority being taunting resources for science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, private economic development and improving the quality of foreign investment.

Vietnam needs to selectively attract high-tech, semiconductor, and artificial intelligence projects. innovation, digital infrastructure, clean energy, modern agriculture, linking investment with technology transfer, human resource training and the participation of domestic businesses.

“Science and technology diplomacy must become a regular task. Diplomacy must not only seek capital but also seek knowledge, talented people and good practices”, the General Secretary and President emphasized, stating measures such as “building a network of technology partners, connecting research institutes, universities, businesses and experts; monitor new trends, standards and policies; bring appropriate knowledge and technology back to the country.”

The General Secretary and President proposed to raise the level of multilateral diplomacy and implement comprehensive, synchronous and effective international integration. Continue to promote its role in international organizations, contributing to peacekeeping, climate change response and sustainable development. Hosting the APEC Year 2027 must be prepared early in terms of content, initiatives, materials, human resources and mobilization of support.

General Secretary and President require the diplomatic sector to strongly innovate coordination mechanisms, inspection and implementation, focusing on removing bottlenecks; Build a team of qualified, capable and reputable foreign affairs officers to meet task requirements in the new period.

In the context of a fast-moving and complex world, Vietnam must be even more calm, proactive, confident but not subjective, bold but not adventurous, flexible but maintain principles. In that situation, foreign affairs work must soon recognize opportunities and turn them into results. We cannot sit back and wait for favorable conditions to come, nor can we just handle them when the situation has already occurred.

“Foreign affairs must promote its pioneering role, see early, advise properly, act promptly, contribute to protecting the Fatherland early, from afar, opening the way, connecting and taking advantage of development resources”, said the General Secretary and President.

The 33rd Diplomatic Conference will have 18 sessions, taking place over 9 days. The sessions will discuss and evaluate the world and regional situation in the coming years, including relations with major countries, neighboring countries, and territorial borders.

The conference will also discuss building a comprehensive foreign policy strategy at a new level; diplomacy serving development, developing science and technology, innovation, accompanying businesses.