Vietnam and CEPI expand cooperation on vaccines and preventive healthcare: Deputy FM Nguyen Minh Hang
WVR - On the afternoon of June 4, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang met with Ms. Sarah Jane Halton, Chair of the CEPI Board, and Ms. Aurelia Nguyen, Vice Chair of CEPI.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang meets with Ms. Sarah Jane Halton, Chair of the CEPI Board, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters. |
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang stated that with significant achievements after 40 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam is entering a new phase of development with the determination to achieve double-digit growth. The goal is to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045.
Simultaneously, Vietnam identifies the protection, care, and enhancement of public health as a priority task, linked to human development, social welfare, and sustainable development. The Politburo has issued Resolution 72-NQ/TW, affirming a strong shift in mindset from treatment to prevention, promoting a robust transformation of the healthcare system and universal health care.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister expressed appreciation and gratitude to CEPI and other partners such as GAVI, COVAX, WHO, and UNICEF for supporting Vietnam in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. She affirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism, the central role of the United Nations, and its readiness to contribute to joint efforts, including ensuring global and regional health and healthcare.
The Deputy Minister suggested that CEPI enhance cooperation with Vietnamese ministries and sectors by sharing experiences, advising on strengthening the healthcare system, and universal health care. She proposed support for participation in CEPI's network and international and regional partners on pandemic preparedness, especially in vaccine development and production. She also emphasized enhancing capabilities and connecting Vietnamese research institutes and hospitals with regional and international research programs on emerging infectious diseases, and advised on health topics Vietnam should promote for exchange and cooperation during the APEC Chairmanship Year 2027.
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| During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang appreciated the contributions of CEPI and international partners in supporting Vietnam's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
For her part, Ms. Sarah Jane Halton expressed her impression of Vietnam's significant changes and development, appreciating Vietnam's goals and orientations in the new phase, especially in the development of science and technology and the new approach to universal health care.
Ms. Halton stated that CEPI has extensive experience in researching and developing vaccines to prevent diseases and enhancing healthcare systems by attracting governments, organizations, businesses, and corporations to invest in science and technology. She emphasized strengthening regional approaches and promoting equitable distribution among countries and regions.
Ms. Halton mentioned that CEPI is implementing the 2027-2031 Strategy (CEPI 3.0) with the goal of helping countries better prepare for pandemics and emerging diseases, based on lessons learned from Covid-19. She suggested that Vietnam consider participating and investing, thereby demonstrating its increasingly significant international role and responsibility, similar to its previous contribution of 1 million USD to COVAX.
The CEPI Chair also affirmed readiness to cooperate, support, and share experiences, and consult policies with Vietnamese agencies in areas of mutual interest such as vaccines, epidemiology, and health data.
