Politics

ASEAN, Western Australia strengthen connection

Representatives of ASEAN member states highlighted the historic significance of ASEAN Day in reaffirming the bloc's foundational values and promoting solidarity, dialogue, cooperation and consensus in support of regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)
Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)

Sydney (VNA) - The Consulates General of Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia on August 14 jointly held a ceremony in Perth, Western Australia, to mark the 59th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967–2026).

The event was attended by Western Australia MP Sook Yee Lai and representatives of the state government; Australian parliamentarians; officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); members of the consular corps; and a large number of business representatives and ASEAN partners in Western Australia.

Vietnamese Consul General in Perth Pham Hai Anh and staff of the Vietnamese Consulate General also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the event, representatives of ASEAN member states highlighted the historic significance of ASEAN Day in reaffirming the bloc's foundational values and promoting solidarity, dialogue, cooperation and consensus in support of regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Under the chairmanship of the Philippines in 2026 and the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, ASEAN members are continuing to advance strategic priorities on peace, security, sustainable prosperity and people empowerment.

Participants spoke highly of the robust development of ASEAN-Australia relations after five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while highlighting substantial potential for cooperation between ASEAN and Western Australia in trade, investment, education and training, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Following the ceremony, delegates attended an ASEAN-Western Australia Business Dialogue aimed at strengthening practical links among governments, businesses, chambers of commerce and communities of both sides.

A highlight of the event was a cultural and artistic programme showcasing Southeast Asia's rich diversity. Vietnam presented a unique traditional-modern dance performance by JM Crew, a Vietnamese youth and student arts group, which received an enthusiastic response from international guests.

Close coordination among the Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indonesian Consulates General in Perth not only reinforced ASEAN's solidarity but also helped promote the image of a dynamic ASEAN and deepen cooperation between Southeast Asian countries and Western Australia./.

VNA
#ASEAN #Consulates General of Vietnam #Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) #ASEAN- China relations Australia ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

ASEAN

Related News

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham The meeting between the ASEAN–Australia Centre (AAC) under the DFAT and the ASEAN Committee in Canberra (ACC). (Photo published by VNA)

ASEAN, Australia step up connectivity, cooperation initiatives

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam highlighted that the establishment of the AAC at the ASEAN–Australia Special Summit in Melbourne in March 2024 reflected the shared commitment of ASEAN and Australia to upgrading their partnership, deepening people-to-people ties and expanding substantive cooperation in strategic areas such as education, economic collaboration and socio-cultural exchange.

See more

NA President Tran Thanh Man delivers an address to the second refresher course on knowledge and skills for members of the 14th Party Central Committee in Hanoi on September 16. (Photo: VNA)

NA President urges overhaul in lawmaking mindset

NA President Man said the Party Central Committee, its Politburo and Secretariat always pay attention to refresher courses for leaders and managers at all levels, which have been continuously updated.

A view of the plenary session of the third meeting of the Vietnam-Slovakia intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Slovakia intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation holds 3rd meeting

Addressing the meeting, the Vietnamese side said the country could serve as a bridge for Slovak businesses to access the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, while Slovakia, with its favourable location, logistics infrastructure and access to the EU market, could help Vietnamese businesses expand their operations in Europe.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) receives Jon M. Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President of Strategic Growth at US-based Mastercard, in Hanoi on September 15. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

FM Le Hoai Trung receives Mastercard Vice Chairman Jon M. Huntsman

Trung affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with the US and welcomed the stable, positive and increasingly substantive development of bilateral ties, particularly since the two countries established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana of Thailand in Hanoi on September 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator meets with King of Thailand in Hanoi

The top Vietnamese legislator and Thai King said the two countries share many similarities in history, culture and social life, and have favourable conditions for strengthening exchanges and sharing experience. They emphasised that the close bonds between the two peoples are an important foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam–Thailand cooperation.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) meets with King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Thailand have ample room to complement and develop together: PM

Welcoming the Thai King and Queen and the Royal delegation to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that the visit was an important event long anticipated and prepared by both sides, contributing to consolidating and deepening Vietnam-Thailand friendship and cooperation, particularly after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Vu Ho (second from right) chairs the roundtable with nearly 30 Korean semiconductor and electronics companies in Seoul on September 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Embassy seeks to boost Vietnam–RoK cooperation in semiconductors, electronics

Key topics discussed included the stages of the value chain Vietnam should focus on attracting, the requirements Korean companies have for expanding production, opportunities for bilateral cooperation in technology, research and development, and human resources, as well as strategies for Vietnamese firms to strengthen their access to supply chains.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Pham Truong Giang (R) and Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said at a recent ceremony in Bratislava marking the 81st National Day of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Slovakia highlights Vietnam’s growing international role

Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar emphasised that the elevation of Vietnam-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership during Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s official visit to Vietnam in April was not merely politically significant, but also reflected the two countries’ long-term commitment to deepening bilateral ties and translating growing political trust into concrete outcomes.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year at the National Defence Academy in Hanoi on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

National Defence Academy must become top military think-tank: PM

The National Defence Academy must track global and regional developments closely, accurately size up partners and rivals, and stay ahead of changes in the international security environment. It should produce practical output, such as strategic forecasts, early warning and policy proposals, and absorb global military advances and technology without copying foreign models outright.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the meeting with the 7th-term Executive Committee of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

VUFO must focus on building networks for mobilising resources: Top leader

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his confidence that VUFO will truly become a sharp and effective spearhead, proactively building trust, turning trust into resources and, through concrete actions, contributing to the country’s breakthrough development in the new era of national rise

Politburo Member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Dr Tran Cam Tu delivers a thematic presentation on the Party building on September 15. (Photo: VNA)

Key leader highlights important tasks in Party building

The Party building covers four key areas: political, ideological and ethical work, and organisation and personnel. These areas are closely interconnected and together form a unified whole that determines the Party’s strength and its ability to lead the revolutionary cause.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane (right) hosts a reception for Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van in Vientiane on September 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks deeper cooperation with regional countries, partners

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van held bilateral meetings with Lao, Cambodian and Timor-Leste officials and representatives of the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Vientiane on September 14 on the sidelines of the Third Review Conference (3RC) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions 2026 in Vientiane, Laos, to deepen cooperation with regional countries and partners.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (first, right) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico (first, left) witness the signing of an MoU between the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ) and the Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS) of Slovakia in Hanoi on April 13, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Slovakia strategic partnership ushers in new chapter

With strong political determination, complementary economies and concrete mechanisms of action, the Vietnam-Slovakia strategic partnership is expected to generate substantive progress, particularly in economy, science, technology and innovation, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Vu Duy Long presents his credentials to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on September 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese ambassador presents credentials to Algerian President

Vietnam and Algeria, despite their geographical distance, share longstanding ties, particularly during their struggles for national independence. Vietnam was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Algeria on October 28, 1962, shortly after Algeria gained independence.