On the afternoon of August 23, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited and exchanged with students of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH). The exchange focused on the topics of bilateral relations, climate change, sustainable development and education.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during an exchange with students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics on August 23 - Photo: HUU HANH
Education is a strong link between Vietnam and Australia
In his welcoming speech to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Professor Dr. Su Dinh Thanh, said that conversations like today's exchange are a bridge connecting the efforts, ambitions and future of the two countries.
"Minister Wong's visit (to UEH) is an affirmation of the important role of education in promoting the relationship between the two countries," said Mr. Thanh.
Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - Photo: HUU HANH
Mr Thanh said Ms Wong’s presence demonstrated the commitment between Australia and Vietnam to developing a relationship that goes beyond mere diplomatic exchanges. It is also a relationship built on mutual learning and the pursuit of common goals.
Agreeing with Dr. Thanh, Ms. Wong said that education plays an extremely important role in the relationship between the two countries.
"Vietnam has many young people who want to access advanced education, want to learn more skills and knowledge. I am also present at a Vietnamese university that has close links with a university in Australia. You are a testament to the strong connection between Vietnam and Australia in terms of the number of students and lecturers exchanged," said Ms. Wong.
Students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics ask questions to Foreign Minister Wong - Photo: HUU HANH
Vietnam - Australia Cooperation in the Context of Net Zero
At the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that Australia considers Vietnam an extremely important partner in the region, and pointed out a number of challenges that both countries are facing globally.
"We are living in many complex contexts, current challenges include strategic competition, climate change , sustainable development. It can be seen that the world is being reshaped and that is happening in the region where we live," said Ms. Wong.
Ms. Wong commented that the global economy is shifting in the context of Net Zero - Photo: HUU HANH
According to Ms. Wong, the economy is undergoing a transformation at present and in the future, in parallel with the challenges that climate change brings.
However, both Vietnam and Australia have shown their readiness to tackle climate change by committing to a Net Zero target by 2050.
Given that most economies around the world have committed to reducing emissions by 2030, Ms. Wong recommends that countries pay more attention to providing goods and services that deliver corresponding values.
"The country that takes advantage of the low-emissions and clean energy values that the world is looking to 'label' in its goods and services will be the one that succeeds in the current context," Ms. Wong commented.
Professor Su Dinh Thanh and Ms. Penny Wong exchanged souvenirs - Photo: HUU HANH
Responding to a student question about what sustainable development means for trade, Ms Wong explained that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are frameworks agreed upon by the international community with common agreements and common goals, which all countries, regardless of size or power, can benefit from.
“Australia and Vietnam are both influential regional players, but neither is a major power. So we want international agreements that allow us to prosper and operate globally,” Ms Wong said.
On the morning of August 23, Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen received Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is on a working visit to the city.
During the meeting, Ms. Penny Wong said that the Australian Government has just decided to provide 94.5 million Australian dollars (60.7 million USD) for activities to support climate change and clean energy.
In addition, Australia wishes to work with Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, to build a legal framework for educational cooperation between the two sides, creating favorable conditions for academies and universities of this country to open facilities in the city and promote student exchanges between the two countries.
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