President Luong Cuong receives Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite. Photo: VOV

President Cuong made the proposal during a meeting in Hanoi for Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite, who is in Vietnam to attend the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention).

The State leader also called for stronger collaboration in the fields of climate change, environment, and energy, and supporting each other’s efforts towards net-zero emissions and clean energy transition. He emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, including joint training programs on digital transformation and new technologies.

President Cuong stressed that people-to-people exchange remains a vital bridge between the two nations, encouraging the expansion of cultural and friendship activities, more direct flight routes between major cities, and greater promotion of cultural values to enhance mutual understanding.

Thistlethwaite reaffirmed that Australia regards Vietnam as a key partner in the region and is committed to advancing cooperation across all fields. He expressed readiness to expand educational collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in areas of Australia’s strength, such as environment, energy transition, and mining.

He also reiterated Australia’s commitment to deepening connections with Southeast Asia and continuing the effective implementation of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, in which Vietnam is identified as one of the key partners.