Vietnam pushes for new approaches in Mekong – Japan partnership
The Mekong – Japan Cooperation (MJC) includes six members: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 2025, a new co-chair mechanism will be launched, with Vietnam becoming the first Mekong country to assume this role.
The 16th Mekong–Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on July 10 called for the Mekong – Japan cooperation framework to adopt new thinking, new methods, and new approaches in order to develop a more innovative and adaptive Mekong – Japan Cooperation (MJC) mechanism.
He made the statement while co-chairing the 16th Mekong – Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Son said that future Mekong–Japan cooperation should focus on enhancing both hard and soft infrastructure connectivity, implementing cross-border trade initiatives, and strengthening the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
"It is necessary to accelerate digital transformation and innovation, develop digital hubs, and apply green technologies across all sectors of production and management," he noted.
He also stressed the need to promote interdisciplinary solutions to address challenges related to food–water–energy security, along with investment and technology transfer to support the development of renewable energy. He emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector in turning these areas of cooperation into tangible outcomes.
Member countries welcomed his initiative to establish a periodic Mekong – Japan Business Forum to tap into the potential and contributions of businesses from both sides.
Delegates at the meeting commended the initial progress made during the first year of implementing the Mekong – Japan Strategy 2024, which has contributed to improving the investment environment, enhancing the application of high technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and expanding transportation connectivity across the sub-region.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to injecting fresh momentum into the Mekong – Japan partnership in light of growing global and regional uncertainties and the evolving landscape of multilateral cooperation.
To align with emerging trends and member states’ development needs, they stressed that the MJC should focus on digital transformation, the development of a digital workforce, investment in both hard and soft infrastructure, climate change adaptation, sustainable water resource management, and the prevention of transnational crimes, especially cybercrime.
Member countries also praised the co-chairmanship of Vietnam and Japan in elevating MJC cooperation and agreed to resume the Mekong–Japan Summit by the end of 2025. At the conclusion of the meeting, Vietnam and Japan issued a Co-Chairs' Statement.
The MJC includes six members: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 2025, a new co-chair mec꧋hanism wi⛄ll be launched, with Vietnam becoming the first Mekong country to assume this role./.
Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of ASEAN countries, commended the strong and substantive growth in the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership over the past 50 years and supported elevating it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year.
Highlighting the core values that have contributed to the success of ASEAN, including unity and mutual respect, Son affirmed that in the current period of instability, the bloc’s unity and centrality, along with strong commitments to inclusive and sustainable development, continue to serve as guiding principles for the ASEAN Community.
The spirit of family unity, community solidarity and close neighbourliness, along with the solid foundation of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, has made ASEAN successful over the past decades.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
