Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc  (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

 Addressing the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, PM Phuc thanked the General Assembly for its minute of silence in memory of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, who passed away last week.

Mr. Phuc said that Vietnam, once a poor, underdeveloped and food-deficient country, has recorded an average annual GDP growth of more than 6% over the last 20 years to become one of the world's largest food exporters. Since 2010, it has been a middle-income developing country.

Vietnam enjoys free trade relations with nearly 60 major countries and partners around the world as a result of 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), some of which are still in the final stage of negotiations.

Vietnam has successfully hosted many world events including APEC Year 2017, the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, and the 2018 World Economic Forum on ASEAN.

Mr. Phuc reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of upholding the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law in settling international disputes through peaceful means, including in the East Sea, which should be addressed on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its guarantee of maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation and over-flight.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a speech at the general debate of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York city on September 27 afternoon (local time) (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

 Mr. Phuc mentioned new opportunities for unprecedented economic growth in the context of scientific and technological breakthroughs.

“No nation can singlehandedly address the enormous global challenges. The joint efforts and collaboration of all nations is needed. The international community should support “dual responsibility”, in which each nation and each individual takes additional responsibility for addressing global issues. I agree with the UN Secretary General that the UN’s role has become more important than ever in addressing global challenges. Countries worldwide must join hands for a world of peace, equality and sustainable development,” he said.

On the sidelines of the Vietnam session, Prime Minister Phuc met with President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Fijian Prime Minister Jioi Kontote, and Saint Lucia's Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.