PM Wong meets leaders of Malaysia and Vietnam on sidelines of Asean Summit

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met the leaders of Vietnam and Malaysia on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28.

He met his Vietnamese counterpart, Mr Pham Minh Chinh, at the summit venue, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, during the Second Singapore-Vietnam Annual Leaders’ Meeting.

In a post on social media, PM Wong said it was a good meeting with Mr Chinh. He added that while both leaders are committed to having a leaders’ meeting annually, this was their third meeting in 2025, reflecting their close cooperation and friendship.

The two leaders also launched a plan of action to implement the

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

, outlining concrete ways to deepen collaboration in key areas such as renewable energy, technology and agri-trade.

“Since upgrading our ties to a CSP in March 2025, we’ve made strong progress across many fronts, and I’m confident our partnership will continue to grow in the years ahead,” PM Wong said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the two leaders reaffirmed the excellent relations between their countries, underpinned by regular high-level visits, strong trade and investment links, and close people-to-people ties.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, the importance of strengthening partnerships amid a volatile and unpredictable global environment, and avenues to expand collaboration in new and emerging areas, both bilaterally and regionally.

MFA said the leaders announced the finalisation of the plan of action to implement the CSP, which was established by Communist Party of Vietnam general secretary To Lam and PM Wong in March 2025.

Singapore and Vietnam will work closely in six areas under the CSP: enhancing international peace and security; reinforcing economic cooperation; strengthening energy and green collaboration; building capacity and connecting people; advancing digital and emerging technologies; and deepening coordination in regional and global fora.

The leaders also looked forward to establishing a Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue, a high-level platform to promote exchanges between both governments and their leaders on governance, public administration and transformation, MFA said.

It added that both prime ministers also welcomed the upcoming signing of a memorandum of cooperation on rice trade on the sidelines of the Apec Economic Leaders’ Week in Gyeongju, South Korea, which started on Oct 27. The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in food security.

PM Wong met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later in the day. Speaking to the Singapore media, he said the two leaders had a brief chat at the end of the summit meeting.

PM Wong said he congratulated Datuk Seri Anwar on Malaysia’s successful chairmanship of Asean, and on his leadership in steering the grouping through what has been a challenging and eventful year.

“Prime Minister Anwar and Malaysia have enabled Asean to achieve and secure quite a number of achievements during this year,” he said.

In a social media post, PM Wong added that the leaders took stock of key bilateral issues and reaffirmed the progress made in various areas of cooperation as both countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.

Thanking Mr Anwar for his warm hospitality, PM Wong said he looked forward to reciprocating it later in 2025. Singapore will host the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat in December.