James Kember said he was in Vietnam last year just after the flooding in the central region and that was a reminder that New Zealand and Vietnam have problems in common because in New Zealand, they have had climate emergencies.
“New Zealand and Vietnam now has about 30 strategic agreements. And the key thing is that these agreements mean very little without some action, without work plans, without mutual trust, without regular consultation, and clear priorities being set. They don't have to be comprehensive in the sense of covering everything, but what they do have to do is to develop depth in the key areas that have been identified for mutual work. In other words, what one has to do is to get right the balance between quantity and quality," said Mr Kember.
The ambassador also noted that cooperation takes many forms, but at its core are political and economic relations. He believes that New Zealand is ready to engage with Vietnam as a country and an economic powerhouse.
