The event was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Hugh Jeffrey, Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense in charge of strategy, policy, and defense industry.
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Delegates at the handover |
The handover of supplies and equipment, provided by the Australian Government to Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces, took place within the framework of the 8th Vietnam - Australia Defense Policy Dialogue. The event not only highlighted the depth of bilateral defense cooperation, but also reaffirmed Australia’s long-term commitment to accompanying Vietnam in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
As one of Vietnam’s key partners, Australia has repeatedly provided practical and sustainable support to enhance the deployment and training capacity of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces. This aid package, worth USD 240,000, includes two Toyota Hilux 4WD vehicles, one GD555 Changlin wheeled grader, 10 shoulder bags, 100 personal care kits for women, and 300 personal care kits for men. The reception and operational use of these items will directly contribute to improving training quality, ensuring logistics and technical support, and enhancing the effectiveness of Vietnam’s force deployment to U.N. peacekeeping missions.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the event. |
Through this latest assistance, Australia reaffirms its role as a comprehensive strategic partner and demonstrates strong trust and support for Vietnam’s efforts to build a professional peacekeeping force that meets international standards. It also marks a concrete step forward in strengthening bilateral defense relations and advancing the shared vision of both countries for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world as a whole.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his sincere thanks to the Australian Government, the Australian Department of Defense, and Deputy Secretary Hugh Jeffrey for their valuable support to Vietnam’s U.N. peacekeeping forces.
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Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense Hugh Jeffrey |
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At the handover of supplies for Vietnam |
According to General Chien, the USD 240,000 aid package from the Australian Government, with its highly practical supplies and equipment, not only reaffirms the goodwill, sincere support, and strong ties between the two ministries of defense, but also significantly contributes to training efforts for Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces. This reflects Australia’s position as one of Vietnam’s most important partners in U.N. peacekeeping. Australia remains the only country with which Vietnam has signed a Government-level Peacekeeping Partnership Agreement, in March 2024.
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Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien and Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense Hugh Jeffrey learn about the sponsored equipment. |
He expressed his hope that the Australian Department of Defense would continue to provide practical support for Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces and that the two sides would undertake more concrete and substantive cooperation activities.
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Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense Hugh Jeffrey, and Vietnamese peacekeepers |
At the event, Australian Deputy Secretary Hugh Jeffrey underlined the importance of U.N. peacekeeping as a unique mechanism that has played a vital role in ensuring security, ending conflicts, and building sustainable peace in many countries worldwide. He praised Vietnam’s increasingly active role in peacekeeping and expressed confidence in the prospects for deeper and more practical cooperation between the two nations.
Translated by Tran Hoai