Forging a closer relationship between the UK and Vietnam in an effort to tackle climate change and create better trade ties were central themes to online talks held on July 16 between the two countries.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister for Asia Nigel Adams MP
and  Vice Foreign Minister To Anh Dung

The event was part of an "online visit" by Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister for Asia Nigel Adams MP, reflecting the UK’s key policies as it seeks to build closer ties with the country amid the Southeast Asian nation taking on the ASEAN Chair and being a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, along with being a strategic partner of the UK.

With discussions focused on the renewal of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership Agreement, greater collaboration to tackle climate change ahead of the COP26 summit, and the UK’s application to become an ASEAN Dialogue Partner, the series of online talks provided positive momentum for the mutual partnership.

Upon addressing the virtual meetings, Adams said, “Through the conversations I have had today, it is clear that out of difficult times comes opportunities, and that the UK-Vietnam relationship is set to go from strength to strength”.

 The UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward and representatives
from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Whether that’s in health co-operation with our scientists collaborating to help in the global fight against the disease, work on global issues like climate change, or business links, with our bilateral trade tripling from less than £2bn to nearly £6bn in the last 10 years, it is clear that our partnership is growing”, he noted. 

“In the post-novel coronavirus new normal, we have an opportunity to recover together and better. While I cannot be in Vietnam this week, I am looking forward to fostering growing relations between our two countries and the wider region as a whole, all as part of our renewed focus on partners in South East Asia”, the British MP stressed. 

Moreover, the online talks saw the participation of Vice Foreign Minister To Anh Dung, the UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward, and Director General of the Department for Foreign Affairs Nguyen Hoang Long, along with senior members of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Many of the attendees took part in the talks aimed at discussing the country’s role in the world and the best methods to address key global challenges and threats.

Furthermore, there were additional roundtable talks held to discuss the  country's business environment and healthcare challenges with members of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and representatives of the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, and Industry and Trade.