Strengthening Vietnam - U.S. relations for greater stability and substance

Speaking at an event celebrating the first anniversary of upgrading relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, as well as the upcoming 30th anniversary of Vietnam - U.S. diplomatic relations, General Secretary and President To Lam underscored the continued opportunities for progress.

The event, held on the afternoon of September 22 (local time), was attended by former Secretary of State John Kerry, Senator Dan Sullivan, along with several current and former government officials, long-standing American friends, and members of the Vietnamese community in the U.S.

Reflecting on the history of Vietnam - U.S. relations, General Secretary To Lam described it as a unique and exemplary process in international relations, demonstrating how nations can heal and rebuild ties after war. He emphasized that this success is the result of three decades of tireless efforts by generations of leaders, governments, national assemblies, and citizens from both countries, working to restore and foster enduring trust.

The General Secretary also praised the achievements made in the year following the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He expressed optimism that, under the new framework, there is still ample room for both nations to further strengthen their relationship in a stable and substantive way—delivering greater benefits to the people of Vietnam and the United States, while contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and globally.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized the importance of trust, calling it a crucial foundation for "building a shared vision for the future of bilateral relations, ensuring that our two peoples and future generations remain good friends and partners," echoing the words of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his historic visit to the United States in 2015.

Looking ahead to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - U.S. diplomatic relations in 2025, General Secretary To Lam suggested that both sides continue to enhance close coordination to effectively implement the Vietnam - U.S. Joint Statement of 2023, with a focus on increasing high-level contacts and exchanges of delegations.

He highlighted the need for cooperation in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), and the training of high-quality human resources, marking these as strategic breakthroughs in bilateral relations. The General Secretary also reiterated the ongoing priority of cooperation in addressing the lingering consequences of war, which plays a crucial role in building and reinforcing trust between the two nations.

He called for strengthening dialogue in a spirit of frankness and constructiveness, focusing on shared interests and legitimate concerns, and for enhancing cooperation that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in both the region and the world.

Quoting the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln - "The best way to predict the future is to create it" - to conclude his speech, General Secretary To Lam reflected on how, over the past 30 years, the two nations have together created a remarkable success story, setting a model for international relations.

President To Lam likened this to a beautiful tapestry, woven through the efforts and contributions of many individuals, from prominent leaders to those whose names and faces may be less well-known, but whose impact is deeply felt.

In a previous speech at the opening session of the Future Summit on September 22 at the United Nations, General Secretary and President To Lam remarked that human intelligence has profoundly transformed the world and the quality of human life. However, he also acknowledged that human actions are at the root of many global challenges, such as climate change, epidemics, resource depletion, and the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Stressing that the decisions made today will shape the future, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the world's sustainable development goals and the well-being of humanity must be placed at the forefront as the highest priorities.

At this critical juncture, he called for strengthening solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect, while upholding international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. He urged the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes, alongside promoting investment and research in fields that benefit humanity, such as healthcare, education and training, digital transformation, green transformation, and solutions that serve the public interest.

General Secretary To Lam declared that humanity now faces a historic opportunity to usher in a new era of progressive development - one marked by social justice, prosperity, freedom, and happiness for all people. He stressed that achieving this requires a unified vision, collective action, and close, effective cooperation. He affirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to actively contributing to global efforts toward building a peaceful, equitable world, where all people can enjoy a prosperous and fulfilling life.