Vietnam, Australia enhance cooperation in drug combat
The first Vietnam - Australia conference on cooperation in drug prevention and control took place in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on September 26.
Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the Police Department for Drug Related Crime Investigation, speaks at the conference on September 26. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The first Vietnam - Australiaconference on cooperation in drug prevention and control took place in NhaTrang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on September 26.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the PoliceDepartment for Drug Related Crime Investigation (C04) under the VietnameseMinistry of Public Security, and Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police(AFP) Lesa Gale co-chaired the event.
Viensaid Vietnam is facing great pressure from the trafficking of drugs from theGolden Triangle. Besides, amid international integration and globalisation,drug related crimes in other regions in the world have also had certain impactson Vietnam, making the drug crime situation more complicated.
This factrequires closer and more effective coordination among law enforcement forces ofcountries, he went on.
With their geographical locations favourable forsea and air transport, Vietnam and Australia encounter a common threat that thesemeans of transport are used to traffic large volumes of drugs. Synthetic drugs broughtfrom the Golden Triangle to Vietnam may continue to be shipped to Australia,the official pointed out.
He expressed his belief that Australia sharesVietnam’s viewpoint of preventing drugs early and from a far. Given this, it isnecessary to maintain cooperation and share a higher sense of responsibility tocrack down on drug related crimes and minimise the consequences left by the crimesfor society.
Vietnamese and Australian officials at the conference (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
For her part, Deputy Commissioner Gale emphasised that theAFP considered drug prevention and control as a common priority as drug relatedcrimes have continued causing threats to both countries.
The AFP wishes to work with the Vietnamese police for drugrelated crime investigation to fight against these threats, she said, notingthat the conference marks the AFP’s commitment to continue assisting theVietnamese Ministry of Public Security by building capacity, sharinginformation, and seeking opportunities for joint investigations.
The Australian side hopes to see more successes following theresults gained so far from the combat against trans-national drug crimes and moneylaundering, she added.
At the meeting, the C04 and AFP exchangedinformation about the drug crime situation in each country and sharedexperience to improve the effectiveness of the trans-national drug crime combat.
They also signed a letter of agreement under whichthe two sides will share information and experience, support the verificationof drug crime information, carry out joint investigation measures fortrans-national drug cases involving the two countries, provide training in drugcrime investigation, and supply equipment helping with investigation./.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined representatives of 70 countries and relevant international organisations at the Virtual Ministerial Meeting to Launch the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug on July 7 under an initiative of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen Nguyen Duy Ngoc on August 11 suggested major solutions for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to raise the efficiency of anti-drug cooperation.
The Vietnam Coast Guard High Command has been honoured with a second-class Feat of Arms Order for its outstanding performance in the fight against drug crimes.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang met with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong in Beijing on September 5 on the occasion of their attendance at the fourth meeting of national committee chairpersons within the framework of the 1993 Mekong Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Drug Control.
Vietnam is determined and committed to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mekong sub-region countries, and the international community in drug prevention and control efforts, striving towards the common goals of peace, stability, prosperity, and the building of a drug-free region, a senior official has said.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
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.
Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the Police Department for Drug Related Crime Investigation, speaks at the conference on September 26. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
Vietnamese and Australian officials at the conference (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
