President Lula da Silva of Brazil, which holds the G20 presidency this year, has invited Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend the G20 Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19. 

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira extended the Brazilian leader’s invitation to PM Chinh when he met the Vietnamese government chief on Wednesday during his two-day visit to Vietnam starting a day earlier, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

PM Chinh graciously accepted the invitation and expressed Vietnam's deep appreciation for the topics put forward by Brazil for the 2024 G20 Summit, namely combating hunger, poverty, and inequality; addressing the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental); and reforming global governance, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam would actively contribute to the success of the coming summit, which will mark the sixth time that Vietnam has attended such an event.

He proposed that the two countries’ foreign ministries coordinate closely to carefully arrange and prepare for his trip to Brazil for the event. 

The G20 is an intergovernmental forum, consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world's major developed and emerging economies.

Many member countries of the group are Vietnam's important partners, including its seven comprehensive strategic partners, namely the U.S., China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia.

Vietnam attended a G20 Summit for the first time in 2010 in Canada as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN).

The country attended another G20 Summit later in the same year in South Korea, and continued to be present at the following summits in 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Minister Vieira said Brazil is preparing for the 2024 summit and wished that the Vietnamese side would coordinate in the preparations toward the success of the event. 

PM Chinh told Minister Vieira about his good impressions of the country and people of Brazil during his official visit to Brazil in September 2023.

Chinh highlighted the significant potential for enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.

He noted that Brazil has emerged as Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the Latin American region, with two-way trade reaching US$7.11 billion by 2023.

On that basis, the Vietnamese government chief proposed that the Brazilian government soon recognize Vietnam’s market economy status.

He also asked the Brazilian side to continue coordinating with member countries of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to promote the early launch of negotiations on the Vietnam - MERCOSUR free trade agreement.

This agreement will help elevate trade between Vietnam and Brazil, promote long-term cooperation between the two nations’ businesses, and bring their bilateral relations to a new level, PM Chinh said.

Minister Vieira affirmed that President Silva highly values Vietnam's increasing regional and international roles and positions.

He also briefed PM Chinh about his earlier talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, saying they had agreed to bilateral cooperation plans to deepen the comprehensive partnership, toward enhancing the ties to a strategic partnership.

The two sides also discussed preparations for President Silva’s visit to Vietnam in the near future.

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