National Conference on Local Diplomacy seeks new orientations for foreign affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 13 held the 20th National Conference on Local Diplomacy, with the aim of continuing to reform and increase the efficiency of foreign affairs and international integration of localities.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the 20th National Conference on Local Diplomacy. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 13 heldthe 20th National Conference on Local Diplomacy, with the aim ofcontinuing to reform and increase the efficiency of foreign affairs andinternational integration of localities.
Speaking at the event, organised in both online and in-personforms, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that since the 19th conference in2018, the world and regional situation has seen many complex andprofound changes.
Under the leadership of the Party, the drastic and effective direction of theGovernment, and the engagement of the whole political system, localities havemade great efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges in COVID-19 pandemicprevention and control, maintain and boost socio-economic development and promote internationalintegration.
Vietnam has received timely and effective internationalsupport in terms of vaccine, medical equipment and treatment drugs to enablethe whole country and localities to safely and flexibly adapt to andeffectively control the pandemic, and foster socio-economic recovery anddevelopment. In addition, the country’s relations with many partners,especially neighbouring countries, important partners and traditional friends,have been further expanded and deepened, he said.
The event was organised in both online and in-person forms. (Photo: VNA)
According to the minister, cultural diplomacy, information for foreign service,overseas Vietnamese-related affairs, and citizen protection have beencarried out effectively and synchronously. Localities have well performedthe border and territory-related work, thus helping to build borderlines ofpeace, friendship, cooperation and development.
Son asked participants to clarify the position, role and missions of localdiplomacy in the new development stage, and mobilise external resources to serve socio-economic development, and raise the position and prestige of localitiesduring the international integration process.
He affirmed that the diplomatic sector will continueactively grasping the demand and development situation of localities to helpthem implement their development strategies, planning schemes and plans effectively.
On the sidelines of the conference, a fair showcasingVietnam’s products was held, attracting the participation of numerous local businesses./.
A seminar was held on December 10 in virtual and in-person forms for heads of Vietnamese representatives abroad and businesses, aiming to seek measures to promote the economic diplomacy to serve the country’s development.
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung has highlighted the need to ensure the Party’s leadership in diplomatic work and the importance of combination of Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy.
Local-level foreign relations has achieved remarkable gains, contributing to the overall success of the country's diplomacy and local socio-economic development goals, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung.
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and other people’s organisations have flexibly responded to the current challenges and renovated their activities to adapt to the new situation, VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga has said.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the 20th National Conference on Local Diplomacy. (Photo: VNA) 
The event was organised in both online and in-person forms. (Photo: VNA) 
