At a meeting on August 26, the President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Ambassador discussed key issues related to the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Centre.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang welcomed Ambassador Robyn Mudie. (Photo: Nguyen Diep/VNA)
On the afternoon of August 26, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Vietnam’s Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council welcomed H.E. Ms. Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam at a meeting in Hanoi.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the lives of Vietnamese people, and the whole political system is making great efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang thanked the Australian Government for its support in Vietnam’s epidemic prevention and control activities; its commitment to providing AUD 40 million for Vietnam to access COVID-19 vaccines; and the donation of 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine made in Australia.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang affirmed: “The relationship between the two countries builds on the mutual respect and trust, common interests and cohesion, which is reflected in effective cooperation across politics, economy, defense-security, education, and people’s diplomacy.”
The cooperation has particularly been promoted through mutual support in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia has developed in a sustainable, practical and comprehensive way. Despite the dangerous developments of the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020, the interactions between the two countries, such as the recent a phone call between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Scott Morrison; and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Action Plan for the period of 2020-2023, have been maintained.
The Australian Ambassador to Vietnam stated that in joining Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, Australia will deliver the first 403,000 doses of the vaccine to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening of August 26 to support people in need. She also pledged Australia’s continued support to Vietnam in the future.
At the meeting, the Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Ms. Robyn Mudie discussed and agreed on the key points concerning the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Centre.
The project builds on the Joint Statement between the two governments, and is implemented by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in conjunction with the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. It aims to help Vietnam access and use professional and technical knowledge and skills required for sustainable economic development, and to strengthen the Vietnam- Australia relationship.
The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang stated that cooperation in human resource development in international standards was very important and relevant to Vietnam’s current context.
This project is in line with Vietnam’s efforts to place people at the centre of the country’s development and to leave no one behind, and affirms the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia.
According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, training programs for managers will initially be held at the Academy, and if successful, will be rolled out to other provinces, depending on areas of training. In the meantime, a financial management mechanism that is in accordance with the laws of Australia and Vietnam will be clarified, and agreement signing procedures will take place in due course.
Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie highly appreciated the results of the Vietnam-Australia cooperation to date, and expected to see more progress in the coming years.
Ms. Robyn Mudie agreed with the roll-out of training to localities and the action plan for the cooperation program. She suggested further discussions on engaging ministries, departments and branches in the process.
In addition to the Vietnam-Australia Centre, a number of cooperation projects between Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Embassy have been promoted, i.e. the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian National Commission on Human Rights to ensure human rights education is integrated into the national education system of Vietnam; and the research project on “Mapping Vietnam’s industries – Implications for regional connectivity and national development strategy”.
“The Vietnam-Australia Centre will help Vietnam take the advantage of Australia’s expertise and experience in training and capacity building for their future generation of leaders, deepening people-to-people links and the cooperation between ministries and branches from the two countries,” Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang affirmed.
Source: Do Binh – Vietnam News Agency /Vietnam+
