Hanoi political consultation maps out Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation priorities

The agreement was reached at the 14th Vietnam-New Zealand Political Consultation, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong and New Zealand Deputy Secretary for the Americas and Asia Group Grahame Morton in Hanoi on October 19.

The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and progress in implementing high-level commitments and agreements, noting positive developments since relations were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025.

They welcomed progress under the 2025-2030 Action Plan, adopted in November 2025, and pledged to work closely on preparations for high-level diplomatic activities in 2027, when Vietnam will host APEC.

Both sides also vowed to implement the outcomes of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to New Zealand in August 2026, further consolidating political trust and making bilateral cooperation more substantive.

They agreed to expand exchanges and consultations through various channels and at different levels, while strengthening cooperation in defence, security and combating transnational crime.

Expanding trade, investment and green cooperation

On economic ties, the two sides discussed measures to boost trade and investment, with a target of raising bilateral trade to US$3 billion. Priorities include improving market access for each other’s agricultural products, expanding digital transformation and cross-border e-commerce, and strengthening business connections.

Deputy Minister Cuong thanked New Zealand for supporting Vietnam’s chairmanship of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026. He called on New Zealand to continue sharing experience and providing technical assistance as Vietnam prepares to host APEC 2027, while working closely on the implementation of multilateral economic agreements.

The two countries also agreed to advance official development assistance projects in environmental protection, climate-resilient agriculture and green transition. Cooperation will continue in renewable energy, access to climate and green finance, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Vietnam called for stronger maritime cooperation, including sustainable fisheries and marine scientific research. New Zealand reaffirmed its support for Vietnam’s human resource development through undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and English-language training.

Both sides also agreed to promote the establishment of direct air links between the two countries to improve connectivity and encourage people-to-people exchanges.

Supporting regional peace and stability

Exchanging views on regional and international issues, the two sides noted growing uncertainties and challenges, underscoring the need for closer cooperation and responsible conduct to maintain peace and stability and support sustainable regional development.

They pledged to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, and within other mechanisms of which both countries are members.

New Zealand underscored the importance of its relations with ASEAN and Vietnam, reaffirming support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms in promoting cooperation and shaping the regional architecture. It also commended Vietnam’s role as country coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations for 2024-2027.

New Zealand expressed its desire to further develop its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and deepen engagement with the Mekong subregion in the coming years.

On the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea, both sides stressed the importance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation. They called on all countries to respect international law and settle disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The 15th Vietnam-New Zealand political consultation is expected to take place in New Zealand in 2027.

Vietnam, New Zealand advance strategic research cooperation, plan Vietnam Center

VOV.VN - Research institutions from Vietnam and New Zealand have agreed to establish regular, substantive cooperation mechanisms, highlighted by a proposal to set up a Vietnam Center at the New Zealand Asia Institute (NZAI), University of Auckland.