Pretoria (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to South Africa, where he will attend the 20th G20 Summit and carry out bilateral activities from November 21–23, represents a historic milestone and signals a new, dynamic phase in the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, established in 2004.
Making the remarks in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Sy Cuong said the trip not only strengthens the political and diplomatic foundation of the bilateral relationship but also opens a “new horizon” for economic and trade cooperation. South Africa has long been Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding 1 billion USD annually and reaching more than 1.7 billion USD in 2024.
According to the ambassador, this is the first time the G20 Summit has been held in Africa, and it is expected to address a wide range of global issues, including sustainable development, with a distinct African imprint. PM Chinh’s participation will reaffirm Vietnam’s position as a constructive voice from Southeast Asia and reinforce the role of developing countries in global discussions on sustainable development and economic equity, thereby enhancing Vietnam’s influence at international forums.
According to the ambassador, the trip is also to advance the outcomes agreed upon during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam last month, while preparing for the elevation of bilateral ties to a higher level, creating fresh momentum for more substantive, effective and deeper cooperation.
The Vietnamese Government leader is expected to focus on key areas, including boosting trade and investment with a view to increasing two-way turnover, leveraging South Africa’s position as a gateway to the African market, and tapping into the yet-modest potential for reciprocal investment. He will also promote cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and digital transformation, while discussing global challenges including climate change and challenges facing sustainable development.
These areas not only bring mutual benefits but also contribute to the broader agenda of the G20 and support South–South cooperation, stressed Cuong.
The diplomat also expressed his hope that the trip will yield significant, concrete outcomes, particularly the upgrading of the bilateral relationship, and will open up new cooperation opportunities, especially in the economic sphere, while demonstrating stronger shared commitment through the development and implementation of an action plan aligned with the new partnership framework./.
VNA
