Vietnam attends 63rd session of Asian - African Legal Consultative Organization

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan attended the 63rd session of the Asian–African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) in Kampala, Uganda, from September 8-10.

The meeting took place took place in the context of the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia, a milestone that marked political cooperation among Asian and African nations in the post-colonial era, laying the foundation for the establishment of AALCO in 1956.

Addressing the opening session, Tuan underscored AALCO’s role as a key inter-regional legal forum amplifying the collective voice of developing countries. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of comprehensive international integration and strong support for multilateralism, with the UN at its core and international law as its foundation.

He also highlighted Vietnam’s active contributions to the international community, most notably its upcoming hosting of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi this October, according to VNA.

The 63rd session of the Asian–African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) takes place in Kampala, Uganda, from September 8-10. (Photo: mofa.gov.vn)

This year’s agenda covered pressing legal issues including the law of the sea, marine environmental protection, the implementation of the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), environment and sustainable development, international trade and investment laws, legal issues relating to outer space, and international law on cyberspace.

The Vietnamese delegation made interventions across all agenda items, reflecting a proactive and substantive approach. Vietnam emphasized the importance of strengthening international law and promoting progressive legal development, and showed its readiness to contribute constructively to AALCO’s work.

A highlight of the 63rd session was international attention to the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Delegates from many countries stressed the significance of the UN adopting its first-ever document on crime combat in over 20 years, creating a new legal framework to strengthen international cooperation against cybercrime, and welcomed Vietnam’s role as host of the signing ceremony.

On September 9, Tuan chaired a thematic seminar with nearly 100 delegates attending in person and online, which provided updates on preparations for the October event.

Tuan emphasized that the Convention represents the international community’s commitment to multilateralism and provides a vital legal foundation to address the growing threat of cybercrime to socio-economic development. He urged countries to join the ceremony, sign, and promptly ratify the document.

Representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), China, and Russia - AALCO observer - highlighted the Convention’s regional importance and expressed support for Vietnam as host. To date, nearly 70 countries have confirmed their participation in the signing ceremony, side events, and technology exhibitions showcasing achievements in digital transformation and crime prevention.

On this occasion, Tuan met Ugandan Foreign Minister General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in trade and economic cooperation, and to encourage Uganda’s participation in the Hanoi signing ceremony.

The Vietnamese delegation also held bilateral exchanges with representatives from the Republic of Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Palestine, and Bahrain to discuss plans for joint events at the signing ceremony, while seeking support for Vietnam’s candidacy for judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term.

Vietnam officially became an AALCO member in 2017, three years after serving as an observer.

Vietnam, Turkey enhance defense links and joint military activities

Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler is paysing an official visit to Vietnam from September 10-11 at the invitation of General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Vietnam’s Minister of National Defense.

Welcoming Minister Yasar Guler and his delegation, General Phan Van Giang highlighted the significance of the visit as an important step in actively implementing defense cooperation commitments agreed by the two countries’ senior leaders in the Vietnam-Turkey Joint Statement during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Turkey in November 2023.

General Phan Van Giang affirmed that over nearly 50 years of diplomatic relations (1978–2025), the friendly and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Turkey has been continuously strengthened and developed. He noted that there remains huge potential for further cooperation, particularly defense links.

At their meeting, both sides discussed the global and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. General Phan Van Giang reiterated that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and development-oriented foreign policy, diversifying and multilateralizing international relations, while maintaining the “four no” defense policy.

Vietnam’s consistent stance is to resolve all disputes and disagreements through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982); to uphold regional and international commitments, including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and to support the early conclusion of a substantive, effective, and legally consistent Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

Minister Phan Van Giang stated that defense cooperation has been actively promoted in recent years. The defense ministries of both countries have effectively realized agreed cooperation contents and achieved positive results, notably in areas such as high-level delegation exchanges, training, defense industry and military trade, UN peacekeeping, and multilateral cooperation. General Phan Van Giang also appreciated the coordination and efforts of relevant agencies from both sides in operating defense attaché offices in each country.

Regarding future defense cooperation, based on the Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in July 2025, General Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides coordinate to effectively realize certain initiatives, including maintaining and increasing exchanges of delegations at all levels; enhancing training, defense industry cooperation, and UN peacekeeping; continuing mutual support in regional and international multilateral mechanisms and forums; and exploring cooperation and experience exchange in other areas such as naval and air forces, cybersecurity, non-traditional security response, in military engineering and mine clearance.

General Phan Van Giang also expressed appreciation to Minister Yasar Guler for sending a delegation led by a Deputy Minister of Defense, along with 11 reputable Turkish defense industry enterprises, to participate in the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, contributing to the event’s success. He confirmed Vietnam’s readiness to welcome defense enterprises and institutions, particularly those affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of Defense, to display products at future exhibitions.

For his part, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler congratulated Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Minister Yasar Guler affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner for Turkey in the Asia–Pacific region, adding that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Turkey in November 2023 provided strong momentum for bilateral relations. He expressed a desire to continue ramping up cooperation in all fields, with particular emphasis on defense.

Confident that his visit will contribute to strengthening Vietnam–Turkey relations, Minister Yasar Guler appreciated the proactive cooperation in training, particularly the historic deployment of a Turkish defense officer to Vietnam’s National Defense Academy, and pledged to continue sending officers for Vietnamese language training at the Military Science Academy. He also confirmed Turkey’s readiness to host Vietnamese officers and trainees for professional training programs in Turkey.

Minister Yasar Guler further hailed the joint efforts of both sides in establishing defense attaché offices as a contribution to enhancing bilateral defense cooperation, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

On the same day, at the Presidential Palace, State President Luong Cuong received Minister Yasar Guler during his courtesy visit.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese State leader expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to reinforcing the Vietnam–Turkey relationship and bilateral defense cooperation. He said bilateral relations have seen positive developments consistent with new-era trends and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to consolidating friendship with Turkey for the benefit of both peoples, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the wider world.

To ensure more substantive and effective Vietnam-Turkey defense cooperation, the President proposed that the two countries’ defene ministries continue to deepen bilateral defense relations based on the signed Defense Cooperation Agreement and agreed contents from the ministers’ bilateral meeting. The Vietnamese State will create the most favorable conditions for defense ministries to bolster cooperation according to each country’s capacities and needs.

Minister Yasar Guler, in turn, affirmed that his nation regards Vietnam as an important Asia–Pacific partner and hopes for stronger bilateral cooperation. He expressed readiness to share technology and contribute to modernizing Vietnam’s defense sector according to its needs.

Minister Yasar Guler also requested Vietnam’s support in expanding Turkey’s relations with ASEAN, as well as strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and broader bilateral relations.

On this occasion, through Minister Guler, President Luong Cuong extended a cordial invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Vietnam ready to take citizen protection measures in Nepal, Qatar: Spokeswoman

The Vietnamese Embassy in India, which is concurrently in charge of Nepal, is working closely with Nepalese authorities to closely monitor the situation and stands ready to take necessary protection measures in case any Vietnamese citizens meet difficulties, as heard at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regular press briefing in Hanoi on September 11.

Responding to a reporter’s question about Vietnamese citizens in Nepal, the ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said around 250 Vietnamese nationals are living there.

Due to the recent situation in Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in India, which is concurrently in charge of Nepal, to monitor developments closely. It is collaborating with local authorities to assess any potential impact on Vietnamese residents and to ensure their safety, she said.

As of the afternoon of September 11, the embassy reported that there were no cases of Vietnamese citizens impacted by the protests in Nepal.

Given the current situation, the ministry advised Vietnamese nationals in Nepal to restrict outdoor movements and steer clear of protest hotspots, particularly in Kathmandu and other high-risk areas. They should regularly follow updates from trusted local media and the embassy’s website, strictly comply with regulations and guidance on security and safety from local authorities, take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families, and maintain regular contact with the embassy. The ministry also further cautioned against non-essential travel to Nepal, reported VNA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

For urgent assistance, they can reach the embassy at +91 7303625588 or the ministry’s citizen protection hotline at +84 981848484.

When asked about Vietnam’s reaction to Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Hamas in Doha, Qatar, and citizen protection efforts in the Middle East, Hang said Vietnam condemns the use of force that violates international law, the United Nations Charter, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

“We call on all parties concerned to exercise restraint, refrain from actions that escalate tensions, settle differences through peaceful measures, and strictly abide by international law and the UN Charter”, she said, urging favourable conditions for negotiations toward a complete and sustainable ceasefire in the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict, for the sake of global and regional peace, security, and stability.

Regarding citizen protection, Hang said that immediately after the incident, the Vietnamese Embassy in Qatar promptly contacted local authorities for verification and reached out to the Vietnamese community in Qatar to grasp the situation.

“No Vietnamese citizens have been affected, according to the latest information”, she said, adding that following the ministry’s instructions, the embassy is closely monitoring the situation and stays ready to take necessary protection measures if any Vietnamese nationals face difficulties.

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