Vietnam and Australia hold 9th Defense Policy Dialogue

Vietnam and Australia co-chaired the 9th Defense Policy Dialogue in Hanoi, led by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyen Truong Thang and Australian Deputy Secretary of Defense Hugh Jeffrey. The meeting focused on expanding defense cooperation following the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.

Discussions included regional security and maritime issues. Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to resolving maritime disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

Key areas of existing cooperation highlighted include high-level exchanges, training, UN peacekeeping operations, defense industry collaboration, and disaster relief. Vietnam expressed gratitude to the Australian Ministry of Defense for its consecutive support in transporting a level 2 field hospital to assist UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan.