Promoting the effectiveness of the Vietnam-Australia people-to-people diplomacy channel in the new period

On July 1 in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association held its 3rd National Congress for the 2025-2030 term. Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council, National Economics University, was elected Chairman of the Association.

The report at the Congress showed that during the 2016-2025 term, the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association has closely followed the guidelines and policies of the Party and State, the guidance of the Party Delegation and the Leadership of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), promoted the spirit of proactiveness, flexibility, and creativity in work, actively socialized people-to-people diplomacy activities; and proactively implemented foreign affairs advisory, research, and information and propaganda work.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird presented flowers to congratulate Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, President of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, and members of the new Executive Committee. (Photo: An Dang)

The Association has effectively implemented Directive 28-CT/TW of the Central Party Secretariat on continuing to innovate and improve the effectiveness of VUFO's operations, Directive 04-CT/TW, Directive 12-CT/TW of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership and improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation.

Under the leadership of VUFO, the support and assistance of departments, branches, unions, social organizations and the participation and contributions of dedicated people, the Association has promoted its core role in people's foreign affairs activities; flexibly integrated the activities of the Association and VUFO; enlisted the help and coordination of central departments, branches and local Party committees and authorities; mobilized the support and participation of domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son gave a speech at the Congress. (Photo: An Dang)

To carry out the work for the 2025-2030 term, the Congress unanimously elected the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, Term III, consisting of 40 members; the Inspection Committee consisting of 5 members. Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council, National Economics University, was elected Chairman of the Association.

Attending and delivering a congratulatory speech at the Congress, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird affirmed that the Vietnam-Australia bilateral relationship is a true partnership, built on the foundation of mutual trust, shared values ​​and increasingly cohesive goals.

Over the past 50 years, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two sides have become closer than ever.

The Ambassador said that what makes the relationship between the two countries special is not only the cooperation between the governments but also the strong ties between the peoples of the two nations. Friendship associations play a central role in this bond, promoting dialogue, understanding and exchange.

“Since arriving in Hanoi earlier this year, I have experienced the kindness, resilience and hospitality of the Vietnamese people. It is a powerful reminder of why people-to-people engagement is at the heart of diplomacy. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association in the future,” said Ms. Gillian Bird.

Speaking at the Congress, VUFO President Phan Anh Son congratulated the new Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association and the delegates elected as President and Vice President of the Association for the new term.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son presented Certificates of Merit to outstanding collectives and individuals of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association. (Photo: Le An)

Mr. Phan Anh Son emphasized that the Congress took place in the context of the country entering a new stage of development, placing higher demands on international integration and foreign affairs, including people-to-people diplomacy.

Regarding the direction of activities in the coming time, Mr. Phan Anh Son suggested that the Executive Committee of the 3rd term of the Association meet soon to complete the Congress documents, build an action program for the entire term and assign tasks in the Executive Committee clearly, practically and effectively.

In particular, to effectively promote the Vietnam-Australia people-to-people diplomacy channel in the new period, Mr. Phan Anh Son suggested 4 directions: Increasing the participation of the community of more than 160,000 former Vietnamese students in Australia; promoting connections with Vietnamese intellectuals and experts working and living in Australia; coordinating with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam to organize exchange sessions with the participation of the Ambassador and counselors in charge of economics, trade, education, etc.; creating a cooperation mechanism between the Association and domestic universities, especially those with close links with Australian educational partners, to promote academic exchanges and student exchanges.

The VUFO President also suggested that the Association actively connect two-way between businesses of the two countries, focusing on supporting Vietnamese businesses investing and exporting to the Australian market.

On this occasion, VUFO President Phan Anh Son awarded Certificates of Merit to the Club of Vietnamese people who have studied and worked in Australia and two individuals, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nhung, President of the Association, Term II, and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Association, Term II.

Delegates attending the Congress take a souvenir photo. (Photo: Le An)

During the 2025-2030 term, the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association will focus on two groups of tasks: Promoting tourism connections, cultural exchanges, people-to-people exchanges, enhancing exchanges between localities and friendship organizations of the two countries to strengthen friendship and understanding between the two peoples; promoting the role of people-to-people diplomacy to serve Vietnam's socio-economic development by 2030 in the spirit of Directive 15-CT/TW dated August 10, 2022, contributing to the goal of Vietnam becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phat-huy-hieu-qua-kenh-doi-ngoai-nhan-dan-viet-nam-australia-trong-giai-doan-moi-319611.html