Australia – Vietnam’s long-term partner in Mekong Delta: Ambassador
Australia has been a long-term partner of Vietnam in the Mekong Delta, affirmed Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie during a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Can Tho (VNA) - Australia has been a long-term partner of Vietnam in the Mekong Delta, affirmed Australian Ambassador RobynMudie during a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The ambassador expressed her delight to be back to the Mekong Delta, following her visit in December 2020, saying it’s a wonderfulopportunity for her to reconnect with the people and the environment in theregion, and to see some of the chances that have been taking place in the pastyear.
She noted that Australia has invested 650 millionAUD in projects in the region since 2000 like Cao Lanh and My Thuan bridges, along withothers in agriculture and climate change adaptation.
“At the moment, we are focusing on projects whichlook at maintaining productivity and environmental resilience because we knowthat this is vital to the Mekong Delta’s ability to adapt to a changingclimate, and to preserve food security, sustainability and development in thefuture,” the diplomat said.
She added that Australia has a number of interestingprojects underway, including one connecting aquaculture farmers to enhance productivityand profitability, helping them maximise productivity.
Another is in the Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap province, she said,further explaining that it is informed by the AI and high technology solutions,which are geared to supporting sustainable environmental management in thepark.
The ambassador also highlighted the Mekong-AustraliaPartnership, worth 232 million AUD over four years across all Mekong countries,and support through the Australian Centre for International AgriculturalResearch (ACIAR), which has been focusing on the Mekong Delta for almost 30years, and collectively invested 23 million AUD in 20 collaboration projects.
Mekong Delta provinces have been working together on shared solutions to climate change. (Photo: VNA)
Asked about Vietnam’s efforts in climate changeresponse, Mudie said Mekong Delta provinces have been working together onshared solutions, and commended the Vietnamese government’s decision tointroduce an integrated response plan for the Mekong Delta’s development.
“This will be really important to connectgovernment, business and community so that all can work together to identifywhere the challenges are and to work out sustainable and shared long-termmitigation strategies,” she said.
The ambassador expressed a hope that the governmentwill take forward its plan for an integrated response, stressing that Australiawill look for opportunities that match its existing support once the plan isadopted. /.
The Vietnam-Australia partnership is on the right track with effective economic, trade and investment cooperation in the recent years, but with nearly 2 billion USD in 550 projects as of the end of 2021, Australian investment in Vietnam has not matched potential, according to Assoc. Prof. Chu Hoang Long from the Australia National University.
The governments of Vietnam and Australia are promoting bilateral comprehensive cooperation in various fields, towards the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties in February 2023, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh has said.
Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Australia is growing strongly, reaching 1.38 billion USD in the first quarter of 2022, a surge of 32.36 percent against the same period last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie (Photo: VNA) 
Mekong Delta provinces have been working together on shared solutions to climate change. (Photo: VNA) 
