Ha Kim Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Committee chaired the meeting. The meeting also welcomed Phan Anh Son, Vice Chairman - General Secretary of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), Vice Chairman of the Committee; Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee for External Relations; Committee members and representatives of agencies in the INGO Working Group.

Actively adapt to difficulties

Reporting on INGO work in 2022, Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Head of the People's Aid Coordinating Committee (under VUFO), and representative of the COMINGO's Standing Committee, said that in 2022, the global and regional situation experienced rapid and complex changes. Policy adjustment and strategic competition among major countries, non-traditional security issues such as cybersecurity, migration, climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, are problems faced by all countries, international organizations, and INGOs. The value of INGO aid disbursed to Vietnam in 2022 reached more than USD 223.7 million, down by nearly USD 10 million compared to the same period in 2021 and equivalent to the aid value in 2020 (USD 220.7 million).

Students of Tung Vai Kindergarten in Quan Ba district, Ha Giang province experience the heater fan donated by INGOs.

The disbursement rate reached 77.1% compared to the commitment for the whole year, showing that INGOs are more active and adaptive in the process of operation and project implementation after COVID. This proves the results of the support, connection, and coordination of agencies, ministries, units, and localities.

Contributing to the above results, the Committee has always actively developed a substantive plan, actively supported NGOs, and created favorable conditions for them while still ensuring their compliance with the law. The committee has also proactively provided technical advice and suggestions for their activities. The participation, support and companionship have been welcomed by agencies, ministries, units, localities, and INGOs. It is a premise for the Committee to determine the directions, specific tasks, and difficulties/challenges in INGO work in 2023.

Coordinate to solve arising problems

At the meeting, the committee members discussed opinions and highly appreciated new points and positive changes in INGO aid mobilization, especially in contributing to enhancing the role and strength of people-to-people diplomacy. The comments also pointed out things to improve to effectively implement the 2023 work plan, including clarifying the Committee's contributions to the implementation of Vietnam's tasks as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2023-2025 tenure:

In concluding remark, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc highly appreciated the efforts of the Committee and its member agencies, especially the Committee's standing body, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in mobilizing and stimulating to maintain INGOs' support for Vietnam after the pandemic, as well as to coordinate with the central and local governments, and maintain regular exchanges to make INGO work more effective.

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc presents the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to individuals who have actively contributed to the development of Decree 58/2022/ND-CP (Photo: Thu Ha).

According to Ngoc, in 2022, INGO activities basically returned to the normal state, with more excitement, basically complying with the laws of Vietnam. The Committee has supported ministries, sectors, and localities in mobilizing funding, well-performing its task of preventing and fighting against illegal activities of INGOs. The policy consultation has new and effective results. The administrative procedures handling has undergone many changes. The inspection, supervision and management of aid have been renewed, in line with the post-Covid situation.

Ngoc said that Decree 58/2022/ND-CP dated August 31, 2022 on registration and management of activities of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam sets forth requirements for the continued consolidating and adjusting of the working regulations of the Committee. Therefore, in 2023, the Department of Provincial Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) needs to coordinate in reviewing and exchanging contents that need adjustment.

In 2023, aid resources will be limited due to the need to support important partners of Vietnam, Ha Kim Ngoc suggested the Committee collect opinions from its members, strengthen exchanges and coordination with localities in advising, formulating policies, handling administrative procedures and arising issues, and creating unity and consensus in implementation. In addition, it needs to proactively guide and support ministries and sectors to effectively implement the National Program on Strengthening Cooperation and Advocacy for INGOs aid in the 2019-2025 period. Along with that, it needs to regularly check, supervise, guide, detect mistakes, and promptly make corrections.

On the same day, the Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony to award certificates of merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to individuals who have made active contributions to the development of Decree 58/2022/ND-CP dated August 31, 2020. 2022 on registration and operation management of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.

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