Japan has pledged US$2.5 billion of official development assistance (ODA) funding to support infrastructure modernization and climate change projects in Vietnam as well as human resources, learning and skills development.
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida made the commitment on May 6 at the eighth meeting of the Vietnam – Japan Cooperation Committee in Hanoi.
In addition, Foreign Minister Kishida said the government of Japan would continue to promote private sector investment in the construction of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant and improvements to the north south railway in Vietnam.
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minster Pham Binh Minh agreed to further strengthen political trust by ensuring regular exchange visits by personnel at all levels of the government and increasing cooperation in education and health care.
They also discussed at length the calamities brought about by climate change such as the drought and saltwater intrusion, which are significantly impacting the central and southern parts of the nation.
The two leaders discussed the situation in the East Sea and agreed that all parties to the dispute should ensure “freedom of navigation” and “refrain from saying or doing anything provocative and act responsibly in maintaining regional peace and stability”.
“I am very grateful for these important pledges by the government of Japan,” said Deputy Prime Minister Minh at the conclusion of the meeting. “It comes at a very significant time and will allow us to continue implementing our social and economic development strategy."
VOV