General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam met with Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn in Canberra on August 11 morning (local time), following a formal state welcome ceremony.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn affirmed that bilateral relations are flourishing on a solid foundation of political trust. She expressed confidence that this visit will generate new momentum to deepen the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
General Secretary and State President To Lam affirmed that Australia is a trusted friend and partner with many convergent strategic interests with Vietnam. He expressed his desire to make bilateral relations increasingly profound, substantive, and effective.
Sharing the achievements after more than 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), the Vietnamese top leader stated that Vietnam is establishing a new development model based on productivity, knowledge, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, high-quality human resources, and modern governance. This model is coupled with green growth, sustainable development, and deep international integration, aiming for the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.
In the context of profound global changes, he said, both countries need to further strengthen cooperation and better leverage their complementary strengths.
The Australian Governor-General expressed her deep impression of Vietnam’s development achievements, particularly in economic transformation, science and technology, and international integration. She noted that both countries share many similarities in their development visions, both identifying science-technology, innovation, education, and high-quality human resources as key drivers for growth. She affirmed that Australia wishes to remain a trusted partner, accompanying Vietnam in achieving its development goals.
Regarding the direction of future cooperation, the Vietnamese leader proposed that both sides continue to consolidate political trust, expand defense and security cooperation, and promote trade and investment. He set a target to reach a bilateral trade turnover of $20 billion and to significantly increase two-way investment.
Vietnam aims to attract more high-quality capital flows from Australian enterprises and investment funds through Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. Simultaneously, the Vietnamese leader requested that Australia create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to expand their operations in the Australian market.
In terms of development cooperation, education, and knowledge sharing, the Vietnamese leader suggested that Australia support Vietnam in enhancing public governance capacity, administrative reform, and public sector digital transformation. He also called for the expansion of scholarships, university and research institute partnerships, and vocational training cooperation for emerging industries.
Ms. Mostyn highly valued the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia, as well as the roles of Vietnamese students, intellectuals, experts, and entrepreneurs in fostering bilateral connections. She affirmed that Australia wishes to continue creating a favorable environment for the Vietnamese community to leverage their strengths and preserve their cultural identity.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law, aiming together toward a peaceful, stable, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific region.
