Mr Robin Bednall departs Vietnam leaving Aus4Transport in a great shape
IN BRIEF
During the last TWG meeting, held on the 30th of July, the whole Aus4Transport Program gave a touching goodbye to Mr. Robin Bednall, First Secretary (Economic and Development Cooperation) of the Australian Embassy, Vietnam in Hanoi. Mr Bednall has been part of the Program since April 2018 and has played a crucial role in Aus4Transport’s success.
All parties involved in the Program, such as representatives of the Ministry of Transport (MOT), close colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the core team of the Program Managing Contractor (DT Global), highlighted, with emotional speeches filled with words of praise and gratitude, the invaluable contribution that Mr. Bednall had made to Aus4Transport, the transport sector and to Vietnam.
Mr Bednall, who is returning to Australia after more than three years fostering cooperation between the Government of Australia and the Government of Vietnam, expressed his satisfaction about having been part of Aus4Transport, witnessing the amazing progress of the partnership and knowing the long-term benefits that the Program will bring for Vietnam. Mr. Bednall’s replacement, Mr. Benjamin Davis, is already in-country and looking forward to joining the team as soon as his quarantine requirements are met.
KNOW MORE…
Mr. Bednall, a diplomat and development cooperation professional with over eleven years of experience in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam) had been leading Australian-Vietnamese Government cooperation on infrastructure, energy, climate, water and the Mekong Delta since April 2018.
As part of his broader role, he has been an essential piece of the Aus4Transport Program. His tireless effort, commitment, and professionalism, and always cooperative and enthusiastic approach, have made Mr Bednall an outstanding example of what engaged partnership looks like. Mr. Bednall’s positive attitude, inclusivity and honest commitment to the success of the Program have inspired us all and provided an excellent model to follow. His continuous and uncompromised support and his ability to find solutions have made possible what sometimes seemed unworkable, ensuring the partnership remained in good shape.
Recognising this invaluable contribution, H.E Mr Nguyen Van The, Minister of Transport, awarded Mr. Bednall a medal of honour for his contribution to the development of Vietnam’s transport sector on the 13th of August 2021.
The Aus4Transport PMC team would like to congratulate Robin for this award and join the recognition given by MOT by also expressing our profound gratitude to the inestimable contribution provided by Mr. Bednall. We thank him for his part in all the Program’s achievements so far and want to reassure him that the team will put their minds and hearts to continue the task in the best possible way.
Aus4Transport also wants to welcome the newly appointed First Secretary of the Australian Embassy for Economic and Development Cooperation, Mr. Benjamin Davis, who has already arrived in Vietnam and is currently undergoing quarantine. Mr Davis will be ready to join the program in early September. The team is looking forward to working with him and continuing to build the successful partnership and achievements of the Aus4Transport Program.
