The fifth congress of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association for 2022-2027 term was held in Hanoi on December 27.

A new executive committee is elected during the congress. Photo: Thu Ha

Speaking at the opening of the congress, Chairman of the fourth term Ta Quang Ngoc said that this is an opportunity to summarize and evaluate the work of the association, analyze the achieved results, identify difficulties and limitations in the past term. From there, the officals and diplomats can draw lessons from experiences and set out directions, tasks and solutions for the association's activities for the 2022-2027 term, in order to better perform people-to-people diplomacy, bring the association's activities to a new height, commensurate with the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries in the context of many new developments in the region and the world.

The congress discussed the work summary report for the 2014-2022 term and the draft working direction for the new term of the association. Accordingly, in the last term (2013-2022), the association has implemented many practical and effective activities in many key areas of cooperation of the two countries, such as people-to-people exchanges, and cultural and educational cooperation between localities.

The network of local associations has been expanded with 17 chapters in many provinces and cities across the country, with the participation of businesses, overseas Vietnamese in Thailand as well as students.

The association has also worked closely with the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association. The annual joint conferences between the two associations have been maintained regularly for many years, proving this close cooperation relation.

Speaking at the congress, representatives of member associations in Ha Tinh, Kien Giang, Thua Thien Hue provinces and Da Nang city shared their experiences in people-to-people diplomacy, advocating for social security and social welfare, consolidating the building of strong associations at the local level, combining people-to-people diplomacy with economic and cultural diplomacy and attracting foreign investment.

During the 2022-2027 term, the association determines to play its role in boosting mutual understanding and friendship between the Vietnamese and Thai peoples, contributing to the common development of the enhanced strategic partnership.

In addition, the association will continue to carry out specific activities to contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries in such fields as trade, investment, tourism, culture and education, and cooperation between localities.

The general meeting discussed and approved the association's charter; electing 50 members of the Executive Committee and three members of the Inspection Committee. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Thanh, full-time Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council was elected as Chairman for the new term.

Le Hoai Trung, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations urges the association to further promote people-to-people diplomacy, thereby strengthening the great national unity bloc and contributing to external affairs. Photo: Thu Ha

Speaking at the congress, Le Hoai Trung, member of the Party Central Committee, head of the Central Committee for External Relations, appreciated the activities of the association in recent years.

Agreeing with the association's operation goals in the coming time, Trung said that the association should further promote people-to-people diplomatic activities, thereby contributing to strengthening the great national unity bloc and consensus in the society; protect national interests; play a part in socio-economic development, overseas Vietnamese work, foreign affairs in general and people-to-people diplomacy in particular.

In order to achieve the above goals, there should be close coordination between the three pillars of modern diplomacy, including Party diplomacy, and State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, Trung pointed out. In addition, the association also needs to continue to elevate its achievements, promote information and communication, train officials and staff, as well as take advantage of external resources.

Morakot Janemathukorn, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Thai Embassy in Vietnam, says the Thai Embassy in Hanoi and the VTFA will join hands in carrying out joint activities. Photo: Thu Ha

Congratulating the successes of the organization, Morakot Janemathukorn, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Thai Embassy in Vietnam, expressed her hope that the Thai Embassy and the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association will work together to carry out activities that bring practical benefits to the people of the two countries, thereby further advancing the friendship and cooperative relations between Thailand and Vietnam in the coming time. The two countries prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their strategic partnership in 2023 and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties in 2026.

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga presents the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association with a Emulation Flag bearing the words "Active, flexible, creative and effective". Photo: Thu Ha

On this occasion, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga presented a Emulation Flag of the VUFO Presidium to the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association.

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga attends and directs the fifth congress of Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association. Photo: Thu Ha VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga shares some suggestions about Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association's tasks in the coming time. “First of all, Vietnam and Thailand are two close neighbors, being members of ASEAN, with many advantages that can complement each other. The people of the two countries have a long-standing close relations, sharing many similarities in culture. The multi-generational Vietnamese community in Thailand always preserves their patriotic tradition, is attached to the homeland and has well integrated into Thai society. The association needs to strongly encourage this strength, make efforts to deepen the relations with the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association and Thai partners, and actively organize diverse and rich people-to-people exchange activities, contributing to stimulating economic, trade, cultural, educational, labor cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, especially in areas such as digital economy, green and sustainable growth. I very much hope that the association will have many effective and breakthrough initiatives and activities to practically celebrate the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries in 2023. Secondly, with the strength of the experienced and enthusiastic leadership, including former leaders, former ambassadors and diplomats, we hope that the association will make efforts to expand its network of friends and partners with Thai people's organizations, media, research institutes, training institutions and the Vietnamese community in Thailand to promote the image of Vietnam, as well as contribute to research and recommendations for development policy, make a contribution to build a people-centred, strong and prosperous ASEAN Community. Third, continue to improve organizational management and development. Strengthening the connection between association between the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association and local Thai friendship organizations through coordinating activities. Paying attention to developing a member network as the core force and increasing resources for the association's activities".

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