Vietnam dialogue
Asia:NZ led the New Zealand delegation to the inaugural Vietnam-New Zealand Track 1.5 bilateral dialogue in Ha Noi on 9-10 June 2008. The event is part of a framework of intensifying cooperation between the two countries since an initiative was agreed by the New Zealand and Viet Nam governments in September 2007.
Overview
Vietnam’s economy is experiencing extraordinary growth and vibrancy, and is emerging as a major player in Southeast Asia. The Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV) is the training organisation for Vietnam’s Foreign Service, and some of their leading current and emerging diplomats participated in the dialogue, including a significant number of young people. Notable for its free-flowing conversation and informality, the dialogue was a resounding success and there is an intention for a New Zealand-based dialogue to occur with the DAV in 2009.
Vietnam was then at the beginning of its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a seat that New Zealand had in the 1990s. Members of the New Zealand delegation shared their own experiences of New Zealand’s time on the Security Council and both countries talked extensively about UN reform and participation by emerging economies in regional and global organisations. Other topics covered included new political and security architecture in East Asia, including the roles of China, India, the United States and Australia in the region; East Asia economic cooperation; the prospects for East Asian integration; and Viet Nam-New Zealand relations.
Working sessions and papers
The dialogue consisted of five working sessions, at each of which two papers were presented followed by a discussion. Discussions highlighted that a wider mechanism for regional economic and political integration is needed. New Zealand is seen as a natural partner in the region. The degree of regional influence of China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the US was also analysed. There were also discussions about Vietnam's participation in the Council and UN reform in general.
It was felt, on both sides, that this was an open and productive dialogue. The Track 2 process remains one of the essential building blocks of a deeper level of engagement. Below is an outline of the working sessions, with corresponding papers.
Session I – New political and security architecture in East Asia
- Paper by Dr Richard Grant, Executive Director – Asia New Zealand Foundation
- Paper by Dr Nguyen Thi Que, Institute for International Relations – Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy
Session II – East Asia Economic Cooperation
- Paper by Dr Pham Thi Thanh Binh, Institute of World Economics and Politics
- Presentation by Mr. Brian Lynch, Executive Director – New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and ASAC Alternate Member
Session III – Prospects for East Asian Integration
- Paper by Dr David Capie, Senior Lecturer in International Relations – Victoria University of Wellington
- Paper by Mr Nguyen An Duy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
Session IV – United Nations Reform and the Role of the UN Security Council
- Paper by Mr Terence O’Brien, Senior Fellow – New Zealand Centre for Strategic Studies
- Paper by Ms Pham Lan Dung, Dean of the Faculty of International Law – Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
Session V – Viet Nam-New Zealand Cooperation in Multilateral Institutions
- Paper by Dr James Kember, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam
- Paper by Ms Vu Thu Thuy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
The New Zealand delegation
Led by Asia:NZ’s Executive Director, Dr Richard Grant, the New Zealand delegation also included Dr Andrew Butcher, Asia:NZ’s Director of Policy and Research; Wook Jin Lee, a member of the Asia:NZ Young Leaders Network; Dr David Capie, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington; New Zealand’s Ambassador to Viet Nam Dr James Kember; New Zealand’s Deputy Head of Mission in Viet Nam Jeremy Clarke-Watson; Brian Lynch, Director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs; and Terence O’Brien, Founding Director of the New Zealand Centre for Strategic Studies.
