Vietnam continues to play greater role in ASEAN's development process: Australian Ambassador
Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has become an increasingly influential and active voice within ASEAN, and contributed a lot of ideas and initiatives to the bloc, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - In the new era under the leadership of Party General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will probably play an even greater role not only in the development of ASEAN, but also in the bloc's relations with its external partners, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird has assessed.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s admission to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 – 2025), Gillian Bird, who was the first Australian Ambassador to ASEAN and also served as Australia's Senior Official for the grouping for many years, said that over the past 30 years, Vietnam has become an increasingly influential and active voice within ASEAN, and contributed a lot of ideas and initiatives to the bloc.
Among them, the most notable is the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), initiated and led by Vietnam, she stated, adding that this is a highly important initiative that bears Vietnam’s imprint. The forum has been held twice, bringing together leaders, policymakers, and experts to collectively reflect on ASEAN’s future.
According to the diplomat, ASEAN is a key partner for Australia, and Australia is the oldest dialogue partner of ASEAN.
“We need a strong ASEAN to make sure that Southeast Asia remains strong, peaceful, and prosperous. So we support ASEAN's centrality. We are delighted to have a comprehensive strategic partnership.” Bird shared.
Australia has made strong investments in ASEAN. Last year, it hosted a special summit with ASEAN leaders in Melbourne, during which it announced initiatives to support ASEAN-Australia relations, with a total value of approximately 500 million AUD (326.6 million USD). The areas of cooperation focus on issues of practical importance to both sides, such as energy security, climate change resilience, trade and investment, and education.
This is a large-scale cooperation programme, and Australia greatly values Vietnam’s active pa♒rticipation and support across all these fields, she affirmed./.
Since the beginning of its membership in 1995, the country has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to ASEAN’s core principles of unity, consensus, and regional resilience, said Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN Ambassador Derry Aman.
Look to the future, Thayer said that if Vietnam succeeds in its current programme of streamlining the party-state political system, it will take a proactive role in ASEAN to achieve three key objectives as suggested by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the BRICS Summit earlier this month.
Over the past three decades, Vietnam’s steady economic growth has caught the eye of global investors betting on ASEAN’s potential. Hoang spotlighted its strides in green technology and multi-sector growth, which have diversified regional supply chains.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
