Vietnam and Malaysia Vow to Deepen Strategic Partnership at BRICS Summit Sidelines

Rio De Janeiro, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister of Vietnam Phạm Minh Chính met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS Summit, reaffirming their commitment to advancing the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two leaders expressed their pleasure at reuniting following PM Chính’s official visit to Malaysia in May 2025. They underscored the importance of fostering a new impetus to intensify Vietnam–Malaysia relations, with particular emphasis on implementing the action plan for the 2025–2030 period.

Both sides agreed to enhance mutual visits at all levels and across all diplomatic, parliamentary, and people-to-people exchange channels. They also committed to further operationalising existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms for more concrete outcomes.

On the economic front, the two prime ministers agreed to bolster trade and investment ties, pledging to facilitate the exchange of key commodities in which both countries have strengths, such as agricultural and aquatic products, food, electronic components, and construction materials.

The leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in areas including agriculture, fisheries, energy, food security, oil and gas, and intra-ASEAN power transmission. New fields such as the digital economy, circular economy, and green economy were also identified as strategic priorities.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposed the establishment of a Vietnam–Malaysia fishing cooperation mechanism, highlighting the importance of engaging private sector enterprises to ensure its effectiveness. Both leaders instructed their respective ministries and agencies to consider establishing concrete frameworks and agreements in this regard.

PM Chính urged Malaysia to support Việt Nam’s digital transformation goals, particularly through assistance in developing a national data centre connected to the ASEAN data hub. In response, both sides agreed to pursue long-term collaboration to contribute to Malaysia’s food security, including stable rice exports from Việt Nam.

Reiterating mutual support within ASEAN, PM Chính assured Việt Nam’s full cooperation to assist Malaysia in successfully chairing ASEAN in 2025. PM Anwar appreciated this support and commended Việt Nam’s active role in regional cooperation.

The meeting concluded with both leaders exchanging views on regional and international developments, and reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting ASEAN’s unity, cooperation, and centrality.