Vietnam plays important role in Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism

Inauguration for Lach Huyen International Port

Vietnam has participated proactively and made significant contributions to the Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism, which was set up ten years ago by Japan and five Mekong nations of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the past decade, Vietnam has affirmed its increasingly important role in the cooperation mechanism by actively involving a line-up of activities like the Green Mekong Forum, and cooperative programmes in environment, clean water, disaster prevention, among others.

The country is drawing up a plan for the cooperative activities in 2019-2021 period. 

Vietnamese ministries and sectors have involved in some 100 projects carried out in the framework of the mechanism. Among them, Lach Huyen deep-water port, Noi Bai International Airport’s terminal 2, O Mon thermal power plant, and Nghi Son 2 thermal power plant are important projects to Vietnam’s infrastructure system. Thanks to the mechanism, the country has already built and operated an electric customs clearance system and produced measles-rubella vaccine.

Besides, it has put forth projects to connect the Sub-Mekong region and integrate the Mekong water resources management into the cooperation mechanism.

Japan recommended the Japan-Mekong partnership programme at the 12th ASEAN Summit in 2007. Since then, member countries of the cooperation mechanism has organised nine high-level meetings, 11 ministerial meetings and economic ministers’ meetings, reaching various agreements.

During 2009-2012, their cooperation focused on soft and hard infrastructure, sustainable development, narrowing development gap, environmental protection, response to challenges like diseases and natural disasters, and enhancing exchanges between Mekong countries and Japan.

Meanwhile, they worked together to bolster connection within the Sub-Mekong region, between the Sub-Mekong region with other parts of the world, and between Mekong countries and Japan during 2013-2015. Also, the Mekong development roadmap for 2012-2015, and the Mekong-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Initiative were carried out.

For 2016-2018 period, aiming to attain the “quality growth”, and continue sustainable economic development, the countries joined hands to branch out industrial infrastructure as well as develop transport links between Mekong countries and other regions. In addition, they worked to expand industrial sectors and regional value chain, improve human resources, foster institutional and economic connection and people-to-people exchanges, and accelerate sustainable development towards a green Mekong.

At the 7th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting in Tokyo on July 4, 2015, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the official development assistance of about 750 billion JPY, or 7 billion USD, to the five Mekong countries to carry out the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation. Japan also prioritised the Sub-Mekong region when carry out the “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure” initiative in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. The 110 billion USD project aimed to developing high-quality infrastructure in Asia-Pacific. 

Furthermore, the Mekong Industrial Development Vision for the 2016-2018 period has been carried out under the Mekong-Japan cooperation mechanism.

Hanoi to intensify cooperation with UK in various fields

Hanoi encourages firms from the United Kingdom to invest in trade, processing agro-forestry-aqua products and tourism, and hopes the enterprises will find suitable partners for their cooperation in the capital city, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung has said.

At a working reception for UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Edward Vaizey on October 5, with the participation of Ambassador Gareth Ward and representative of the municipal authorities, Chung stressed that Hanoi is currently very attentive to and hopeful for further investment and more partners with considerable potential in various fields. He cited many sectors which are Hanoi’s demand and UK’s strength such as the learning of the English language, the IT, the building of smart cities, tourism, and sports.

The official said the teaching of the English language has now been broadened to elementary schools in the city, and affirmed that municipal authorities will facilitate highly-skilled teachers from the UK to come to work in Hanoi.

Chung also proposed that the two capitals strengthen the coordination between their police forces, while speaking highly of the cooperation in various field between the two countries in general and the two capital cities in particular over the recent past.

Expressing his fine impressions on the rapid development and the beautiful landscapes of Hanoi, Edward stressed that the people of his countries also have many things in common with Vietnamese people, and that is why the fields Hanoi hopes for cooperation are also those of UK’s strength. This will make it easier for the bilateral collaboration in the time to come.

The official also held that the two sides should work out a concrete strategy on the popularization work so as to make more companies from his country obtain a clearer understanding of Hanoi’s potential.

In the recent years, more and more people in the UK are coming to have a better knowledge of Hanoi as well as Vietnam, evidenced by the fact that the number of travelers from the European country coming to Vietnam has tripled after only some years. The average yearly figure is 300,000, and this will reach 500,000 in the years to come.
Australia-VN Young Leadership Dialogue opens for applications

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove and his spouse (centre) pose for a photo with founders and executive members of the Australia – Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue. 

The Australia – Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD) 2019 was officially launched at the Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia on October 5 to bring together young leaders from both countries and engage them in promoting the bilateral relationship.

Present at the event were Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove and his spouse, Vietnamese Consul General in New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia Trinh Duc Hai, and Australia-ASEAN Council Board Chairwoman Christine Holgate.

The event also marked the launch of application invitation from both emerging young Vietnamese and Australian leaders in business, startups, academia, government, not-for-profit and the arts. Twenty candidates will be later selected to attend the AVYLD to be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from May 26 – 30, 2019.

Following the highly successful inaugural dialogue in 2017, the delegates will come together to openly discuss the theme “Beyond 2019: creating a sustainable future together”.

In his opening remarks, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove highly spoke of the decades-long relationship in diplomacy, trade and economics between Vietnam and Australia, saying this year is special as it marks the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

He expressed his belief that to maintain the prosperity for the two nations against the backdrop of globalization, they need young leaders who are innovative, compassionate and courageous with an international vision. 

He expects the AVYLD will help bridge innovators who will directly contribute to the bilateral relations and more importantly, foster the sustainable development in both sides.

Consul General Trinh Duc Hai, for his part, said he is delight at the remarkable steps the two countries have made to promote their friendship and Strategic Partnership. He wished the AVYLD 2019 a great success and hoped that the bilateral ties will flourish in all fields next year.

Following the launch event in Sydney, a similar event will take place in HCM City on October 29.

The Australia Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD) is an independent non-profit initiative that was established to nurture relationships, promote engagement and incubate collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese young leaders from a broad spectrum of society. It also aims to facilitate deeper understanding and to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships to improve economic, social and cultural prosperity for citizens in Vietnam and Australia. 

The first AVYLD, themed “Innovation”, took place in Sydney in 2017, bringing together 20 Vietnamese and Australian delegates aged 25 – 35.