Participants at the year-end friendship gathering in Brasilia on December 19 to review its diplomatic activities in 2025 and mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Guyana (1975–2025). — VNA/VNS Photo

BRASILIA — The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil held a year-end friendship gathering in Brasilia on December 19 to review its diplomatic activities in 2025 and mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Guyana (1975–2025).

The event was attended by Brazilian Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Susan Kleebank, Guyanese Ambassador to Brazil Compton Bourne, Secretary of International Relations of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) Ana Pretes, General Secretary of the Brazil–Việt Nam Friendship Association (AMBRAVIET) Pedro Oliveira, and ambassadors of ASEAN countries.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil and Guyana Bùi Văn Nghị highlighted Việt Nam’s major foreign affairs and international integration achievements over the past year, as well as the progress in its relations with Latin America. He underscored the upgrade of Việt Nam–Brazil ties to a Strategic Partnership and the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations with Guyana as important milestones.

Nghị noted that economic diplomacy has emerged as a bright spot in Việt Nam–Brazil relations, with bilateral trade reaching nearly US$8 billion. Notably, Việt Nam’s aquatic exports to Brazil recorded a breakthrough increase of 36.7 per cent, laying a solid foundation for the two countries’ trade target of $15 billion by 2030.

He added that aside from Brazil’s recognition of Việt Nam as a market economy in March 2025, negotiations have been launched toward a trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). Cooperation has also expanded in high technology, renewable energy, and food security.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam–Guyana diplomatic ties, Nghị described the milestone as an opportunity for both sides to deepen political trust, broaden cooperation in potential areas, and make positive contributions to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the regions and beyond.

For her part, Deputy Foreign Minister Susan Kleebank said the elevation of Việt Nam–Brazil relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2024 marked a historic step, reinforced by high-level visits and the adoption of the 2025–2030 Action Plan, reflecting deep political trust and dialogue.

The official welcomed the strong growth in bilateral trade in agriculture, food and fisheries, and highlighted promising cooperation in food security, bioenergy, energy transition, aviation, and high technology. She also noted that the signing of a memorandum of understanding on innovation in 2025 represented an important advance in scientific research and institutional development.

Meanwhile, Guyanese Ambassador Compton Bourne expressed his wish to further strengthen ties with Vietnam, particularly in energy, sustainable forestry, trade, industrial production, technical cooperation, and ecotourism. He also called on Việt Nam to join the Guyana-initiated Global Biodiversity Alliance. — VNA/VNS