On the afternoon of November 20 in Melbourne, Australia, the CPTPP-ASEAN Trade and Investment Dialogue took place. Minister Nguyen Hong Dien attended and delivered a speech at the event.

The dialogue gathered ASEAN economic ministers and representatives of CPTPP member countries. The conference was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation.

According to Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, in the current context, close cooperation between CPTPP and ASEAN goes beyond ordinary exchanges, demonstrating a shared commitment to maintaining an open, stable, and rules-based trade environment.

“We can jointly contribute to strengthening the multilateral trading system. Members sharing experience and coordinating positions not only enhances our collective voice in discussions on decision-making reforms and restoring dispute settlement mechanisms, but also helps shape new rules aligned with modern trade and economic development patterns. This approach benefits countries in the region and contributes practically to the global trade architecture,” emphasized the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade.

Building on existing cooperation, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien noted that trade facilitation and regional competitiveness can be enhanced through the CPTPP’s high standards in transparency, digital trade, and investment facilitation, while ASEAN offers broad coverage, inclusiveness, and deep connectivity among economies. Combining these strengths opens significant opportunities to reduce transaction costs, simplify procedures, harmonize regulations, and particularly support small and medium enterprises in deep regional integration.

Over the next 12 months, the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade recommended that both sides prioritize initiatives such as: strengthening market linkages and joint trade promotion to advance digital trade cooperation; improving transparency and standardizing non-tariff measures; and establishing coordination mechanisms to enhance supply chain resilience, especially in strategic industries.

“These areas can bring direct benefits to businesses and people in participating countries,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stressed.

The CPTPP-ASEAN Trade and Investment Dialogue marks a new step in deepening cooperation between CPTPP and ASEAN for the next phase of development. Following this dialogue, CPTPP members will continue to participate in the CPTPP-EU Trade and Investment Dialogue.