Australia is supporting Vietnam’s long-term response to COVID-19

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Today Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Ms Robyn Mudie, met with Minister for Planning and Investment, H.E Mr Nguyen Chi Dung, to convey Australia’s congratulations for Vietnam’s outstanding success against COVID‑19, and to commit to support Vietnam’s long-term response and recovery. 

Australia has committed AUD 10.5 million toward supporting Vietnam’s COVID-19 response and recovery, in a step that further strengthens economic and development cooperation between the two countries. 

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Ms Robyn Mudie and Minister for Planning and Investment, H.E Mr Nguyen Chi Dung

“Australia has refocused much of our development program in Vietnam to respond to COVID-19. We are supporting Vietnam by ensuring access to the best available economic analysis as the country shifts its focus toward stimulus and recovery. We are also supporting Vietnam’s efforts to protect the most vulnerable, especially women and girls who carry much of the burden as a result of the pandemic.” Ambassador Mudie said. 

Under a Strategic Partnership, Australia and Vietnam are working together to contain the impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods. The two countries recently reiterated their commitment to boosting two-way trade and investment, and to supporting one another torespond to the long-term effects of the pandemic.

“As Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam I have been impressed and inspired by the swift and decisive actions taken by the Government of Vietnam to tackle the threat of COVID-19. With just a few hundred confirmed cases and no recorded deaths, Vietnam’s management of the pandemic has been exemplary, deservedly capturing the world’s attention,” said Ambassador Mudie at the meeting. 

In addition, the flagship programs through which Australia and Vietnam cooperate on workforce development, economic reform, infrastructure, gender equality, agriculture, tourism, and innovation are supporting Vietnam’s economic recovery priorities.

Across the Indo-Pacific region, Australia has undertaken an unprecedented pivot of its development partnerships to further support health security, economic recovery and stability in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Government’s new Partnerships for Recoverypolicy was launched by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne on 29 May 2020.