Vietnam, New Zealand Pledge Deeper Ties Across Security and Trade
Vietnam's President To Lam and New Zealand PM Luxon agree to deepen defense, security, and economic cooperation during Auckland visit.
Vietnamese President To Lam concluded his two-day visit to New Zealand on Thursday with a meeting in Auckland with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, where both leaders committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple fronts.
During their discussions, the two leaders agreed to expand collaboration on defense and security, specifically focusing on peacekeeping operations, maritime domain awareness, and efforts to combat transnational organized crime. Luxon announced the establishment of a vice-ministerial security dialogue and new funding aimed at tackling serious organized crime in the Mekong region.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and to upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Education, climate resilience, and people-to-people ties were highlighted as key areas for future cooperation.
Luxon expressed a desire for businesses from both countries to trade, invest, and succeed in each other's markets, leveraging existing trade agreements. Lam noted that Vietnam is pleased to see the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations continue to strengthen and grow, describing it as a positive contribution to resilience, dialogue, and sustainable development in the region.
Earlier in the day, Lam was welcomed with a traditional Māori ceremony before meeting with New Zealand's Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Auckland. The visit concluded with officials from both sides exchanging agreements.