Deputy FM Dang Hoang Giang co-chairs ASEAN-UK Senior Officials' Meeting at Wilton Park
WVR - From March 30-31, the 5th ASEAN-UK Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) took place at Wilton Park, United Kingdom.
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| ASEAN-UK SOM Conference. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, and Ms. Christina Scott, Director General of the International Network, Head of UK SOM, co-chaired the meeting. Vietnam is the coordinator for ASEAN-UK relations for the 2024-2027 term.
In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Christina Scott affirmed that the UK is a long-standing partner with a strong commitment to ASEAN, supporting ASEAN's central role and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. She also appreciated ASEAN's "convening" capability in promoting dialogue and cooperation in the region.
At the conference, countries shared assessments of the rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable global landscape, along with "politicized" and "weaponized" economic policies, increasingly severe non-traditional security issues, and the rising risk of "multi-crisis". They affirmed that no country, big or small, can tackle the current multidimensional challenges and crises alone.
Accordingly, both sides agreed that this is an opportunity for ASEAN, the world's fifth-largest economy, and the UK, a P5 and G7 member, to strengthen cooperation, with the UK actively participating in ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Celebrating the 5th anniversary of ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership (2021-2026) and looking towards a new development phase, the conference discussed and approved the 5-year anniversary concept document, with numerous activities to be implemented in 2026.
With the ASEAN-UK Action Plan 2022-2026 achieving a 98.9% implementation rate, along with various projects, programs, and diverse cooperation initiatives, the UK increasingly proves to be one of ASEAN's leading dynamic partners.
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| Senior officials from ASEAN countries and the UK. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Both sides are actively developing the Action Plan for 2027-2031, focusing on being targeted, substantive, effective, strategic, and long-term, in line with new situational demands and implementation resources.
Both sides agreed to continue effectively implementing the £25 million ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Program, focusing on administrative reform, financial services, and open trade, and the £30 million Skills for Girls' Education (SAGE) Program, scholarships for women in STEM fields, and the ASEAN Chevening Scholarship Program. They aim to effectively utilize the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund to promote sustainable development, address climate change, and support a just energy transition.
The UK is committed to deepening cooperation in green finance, fintech, including participating in the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in 2026, supporting key ASEAN programs like the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the ASEAN Power Grid.
Additionally, the UK seeks to enhance cooperation in maritime security, combating transnational crime, finance, creative economy, green-digital transition, climate change response, renewable energy, education, and high-quality human resource training, aiming to maximize cooperation potential.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang co-chairs the SOM Conference. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Co-chairing the ASEAN-UK SOM, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed that ASEAN and Vietnam value the partnership with the UK, its role, and contributions as a P5 and G7 member. He suggested focusing on promoting ASEAN-UK relations to develop in a substantive, effective, strategic, and long-term manner, not only adapting but also anticipating new development trends.
The Deputy Minister proposed that both sides should enhance strategic dialogue, high-level exchanges, and coordination on regional and global agendas, especially in 2027 when the UK chairs the G20, Vietnam chairs APEC, and Singapore chairs ASEAN.
On the economic front, the Deputy Minister emphasized that since establishing relations, bilateral trade turnover has steadily increased, with the UK now being ASEAN's 8th largest trading partner and 4th largest investor.
The Deputy Minister welcomed the UK's participation in the CPTPP, thereby creating additional momentum for trade and investment relations with ASEAN. He affirmed that in its role as CPTPP Chair in 2026, Vietnam will coordinate with countries to promote the CPTPP, including organizing the second ASEAN-CPTPP Trade and Investment Dialogue in 2026.
The Deputy Minister suggested leveraging the roles of UKABC and ASEAN-BAC in supporting the private sector and establishing a business dialogue mechanism between the two sides. He hoped the UK would continue to support ASEAN countries in developing and connecting international financial centers, promoting the establishment of the ASEAN-UK Multilateral Air Transport Agreement, and increasing support for ASEAN to narrow the development gap, making the Mekong sub-region cooperation a priority in regional policy.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang meets bilaterally with UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Prosperity, and Development Seema Malhotra. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
* On the occasion of the ASEAN-UK SOM, on April 1 in London, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang had a bilateral meeting with UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Prosperity, and Development Seema Malhotra to discuss bilateral relations, especially the implementation of the outcomes of General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the United Kingdom (October 2025).
During the exchange, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed support for the UK's increasing role in the Asia-Pacific region, especially within the ASEAN-UK cooperation framework.
The Deputy Minister appreciated the positive developments in bilateral relations since General Secretary To Lam's visit and after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In terms of economy and trade, the Deputy Minister noted that the UK is currently Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Vietnam is the UK's second-largest partner in Asia.
Based on the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), bilateral trade turnover in 2025 reached $9.4 billion – the highest ever.
On the UK side, Under-Secretary Seema Malhotra appreciated Vietnam's role in coordinating ASEAN-UK relations, welcomed the success of the ASEAN-UK SOM Conference, and affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner in the UK's strategy for ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region.
Under-Secretary Seema Malhotra recognized Vietnam as a dynamic economy with great potential and affirmed a commitment to support Vietnam in developing financial centers, promoting cooperation in green finance, environmental protection, and climate change response.
Both sides agreed to continue enhancing coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN, while also discussing regional and international issues, including ensuring maritime and energy security.
Regarding future cooperation directions, both sides emphasized promoting delegation exchanges, especially high-level ones, and developing an Action Plan to effectively implement the Vietnam-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework and agreements signed during General Secretary To Lam's visit.
Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as developing international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, green finance, science and technology, and energy.
Both sides acknowledged the positive role of the Vietnamese community in the UK in the local socio-economic life, serving as an important bridge contributing to promoting bilateral relations.
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| Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang meets with Chair of the Communist Party of the UK Lorraine Douglas and some party members. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
On the same day, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang met with Chair of the Communist Party of the UK Lorraine Douglas. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister appreciated the solidarity and support of the Communist Party of the UK for Vietnam during various stages of struggle and national development. He also informed about the achievements after more than 40 years of Renovation and the orientation for rapid and sustainable development in the coming time.
The Deputy Minister suggested that the two parties enhance theoretical exchanges, coordinate at multilateral forums, and promote propaganda to raise awareness about Vietnam's situation.
For her part, Lorraine Douglas appreciated Vietnam's comprehensive development achievements in a world full of fluctuations and affirmed the importance of friendly and cooperative relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to enhance information exchange, share experiences, and coordinate at forums of the international communist and workers' movement, thereby contributing to promoting peace, social progress, and protecting workers' rights.
They also discussed recent complex developments in the world situation, agreed to continue promoting cooperation in the future, and affirmed support for the communist movement in Cuba, contributing to strengthening Vietnam-UK relations and enhancing solidarity among progressive forces worldwide.
At the end of the meeting, the Communist Party of the UK presented the Communist Party of Vietnam with a collection of documents and propaganda posters opposing the war in Vietnam – historical artifacts that testify to the solidarity and support of the UK communist movement for Vietnam.
* Also on this occasion, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang attended the ASEAN-UK Dialogue Channel 1.5 with sessions on Geoeconomics and the Future of Multilateralism, Maritime Cooperation, AI Governance, and Dialogue with ASEAN Chevening Scholarship students.
The Deputy Minister also had a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK. He acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of the staff and party members in recent times, especially in maintaining internal unity, enhancing political bravery, and proactively adapting to the increasingly high demands of foreign affairs work.
