UK pledges close cooperation with Vietnam in dealing with global challenges

The UK is proud to be working with the Government of Vietnam to address the impact of climate change, including the establishment of the Secretariat to implement the Declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and to prepare a resource mobilization plan under this JETP programme, said the ambassador.

Such cooperation will help Vietnam realize its ambitions for a low-carbon energy transition that accelerates growth, supports national socio-economic goals and enhances energy security and competitiveness, added the diplomat.

Talking about major milestones in Vietnam – UK relations over the past decades, the ambassador expressed his elation at the positive development of bilateral cooperation partnership through regular exchanges of visits. The visits include a UK trip in May 2023 by President Vo Van Thuong to attend the Coronation of King Charles III, and a Vietnam visit in January 2023 by Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands and another Vietnam visit in late March 2023 by Minister of State at the UK Ministry of Defense Baroness Goldie.

The UK looks forward to more important visits from both sides in the coming time to advance the bilateral strategic partnership, stressed ambassador Frew.

He stated that he was impressed with the growing trade ties between the two countries over the years, with two-way trade turnover hitting GBP6.9 billion last year representing a year-on-year rise of 29% and almost a double the 2013 figure.

Earlier this year, the UK reached an agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which Vietnam is a member. This landmark agreement, according to the ambassador, complements the UK – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and further boosts the growing trade ties between the two countries, spanning across a range of sectors, from agriculture and finance to health care, renewable energy and technology.

In addition to economic cooperation, education cooperation between the two countries has been enhanced through cooperation documents signed between their institutions.

The UK is proud to be one of the top destinations for Vietnamese students wishing to study abroad, said Frew, adding that UK universities are offering a range of scholarships to help talented Vietnamese students have the opportunity to access world-class education.

Most recently, he said 23 outstanding Vietnamese students graduated from a Chevening course – a fully funded scholarship programme of the British Government. He believed that these students, along with 550 Chevening alumni in Vietnam and tens of thousands of other students who have been studying in Vietnam, are future leaders, contributing to promoting the country’s development and strengthening the partnership between the UK and Vietnam.

To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the ambassador revealed that the British Embassy is scheduled to host a commemorative ceremony in Hanoi on September 11. A UK festival comprising music and culinary parties as well as art exhibitions will also take place in Hanoi this weekend before touring Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.