National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, on behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, together with his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will attend the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Switzerland; conduct bilateral activities in Switzerland; and pay official visits to Morocco and Senegal from July 22-30. The working trip is of great significance on both bilateral and multilateral levels, demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism, for peace , justice and prosperity for all people; strengthening political trust and creating momentum to promote Vietnam's relations with other countries.
Vietnam - Senegal maintain good relations
Senegal is a key player in West Africa. It has a rapidly growing economy , an open trade policy and is a founding member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, an influential regional economic community. Senegal is also a leading member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an integration mechanism that is opening up access to a continental market of over 1 billion people.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1969, Vietnam - Senegal relations have been well maintained. The two sides have cooperated well at the United Nations, the International Organization of La Francophonie, and the IPU. Trade relations between the two countries have developed positively recently, with bilateral turnover reaching 81.16 million USD in 2024, of which Vietnam exported 43.91 million USD. In the first 4 months of this year, Vietnam's export turnover to Senegal reached 43.3 million USD, equivalent to the whole year of 2024. During the period 1997 - 2005, Vietnam sent more than 100 agricultural experts and technicians to work in Senegal under the Tripartite Agricultural Cooperation Program sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which was highly appreciated by FAO and Senegal.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man receives Moroccan House of Representatives President Rachid Talbi El Alami. Photo: Lam Hien
Cooperation between the two countries' parliaments is mainly carried out through multilateral mechanisms such as the IPU, the Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF) and at multilateral conferences organized by the Vietnamese National Assembly (such as the Conference of the APF Education, Communication, Culture and Women Parliamentarians Network in 2019, the 132nd IPU Assembly in 2015...) The First Vice President of the Senegalese National Assembly attended the APF Executive Committee Conference in January 2025 in Can Tho City.
There are currently about 3,000 Vietnamese and people of Vietnamese origin in Senegal; the Vietnamese Senegalese organization was established in 2017. Senegal has also established the Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao Association under the World Vovinam Federation with thousands of martial artists participating in training and competing regularly.
Vietnam - Morocco relations have achieved many achievements in many fields.
Vietnam and Morocco established diplomatic relations in 1961. After a period of interruption, the two countries resumed relations in 1991 and achieved many cooperative achievements in various fields, especially from 2004 to present.
In terms of diplomacy, Vietnam opened an embassy in Rabat in 2005 and appointed an honorary consul in Casablanca in January 2025. Morocco opened an embassy in Hanoi in 2006 and appointed an honorary consul in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2021. The two countries actively support each other at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, Francophonie and IPU.
In terms of economy, bilateral cooperation focuses on trade with bilateral turnover increasing steadily by 13-14% per year, from 169.2 million USD in 2017 to over 300 million USD in 2024, of which Vietnam exports over 290 million USD, mainly electronics, coffee, pepper, textiles, fabrics of all kinds and imports animal feed, fertilizers, etc.
The two countries have established Friendship Associations in each country. Da Nang City and Tangier City signed a cooperation agreement in March 2019. Since 2011, Morocco has granted Vietnam about 10 scholarships each year to train Arabic language at undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.
Cooperation between the two countries' parliaments has developed well. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan officially visited Morocco in March 2019 and the Chairman of the Moroccan House of Representatives officially visited Vietnam in December 2017. The two sides signed a cooperation agreement in December 2017. Chairman of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami repeatedly invited the Chairman of our National Assembly to officially visit Morocco. The two sides regularly exchange and maintain contacts at high levels and at committee and parliamentary advisory bodies (Culture and Education Committee; Delegation Working Committee visits Morocco in 2024; Secretary General of the Moroccan House of Representatives visits Vietnam in June 2024). The two countries' parliaments have also established a Friendship Parliamentarians' Group.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends and speaks at the IPU-150 General Discussion Session. Photo: VNA
On the multilateral level, the two sides maintain contact and consultation at forums such as the IPU and APF. Within the framework of the IPU, the two sides regularly send delegations to attend conferences held in each country, affirming their mutual support. In particular, with the active support of the Vietnamese National Assembly - Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPA) 2020, the Moroccan National Assembly was officially admitted as an observer of AIPA at the 41st AIPA General Assembly (September 2020).
At APF, the Vietnam Section and the Morocco Section have a close cooperative relationship and have made very positive contributions to APF activities. In January 2025, President of the Moroccan House of Representatives and Vice President of APF Rachid Talbi El Alami attended the APF Executive Committee Meeting and the Francophone Parliamentary Cooperation Forum on sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change response in Can Tho (January 2025), demonstrating Morocco's special regard for its relations with Vietnam and for activities organized by Vietnam. In a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on the occasion of attending the Conference, President of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi El Alami affirmed that Morocco always attaches importance to its relations with Vietnam in its foreign policy, wishing to continue to maintain and develop the cooperative relationship between the two countries to be increasingly effective and substantive in all fields; affirmed that Morocco will be a "bridge" to promote cooperation between Vietnam and African countries.
The Vietnamese community in Morocco was formed from the 1940s to the present. The community currently has about 300 - 400 people, mainly families of Moroccan veterans who participated in supporting the Vietnamese people's resistance war against the French before 1954. In addition, there are a number of workers, students studying abroad...
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends and speaks at the IPU-150 General Discussion Session. Photo: VNA
Vietnam - Switzerland relations develop positively
With Switzerland, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland have developed positively in recent years. The two sides established diplomatic relations in 1971; maintained delegation exchanges, high-level contacts and all-level contacts; closely coordinated at multilateral forums and international organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, Francophonie. In January 2025, the two countries upgraded their relationship to Comprehensive Partnership.
Switzerland is an important trade partner of Vietnam in Europe with bilateral trade turnover reaching 811 million USD in 2024. Switzerland is the 6th largest investor in Europe and ranks 21st out of 149 countries and territories with direct investment in Vietnam with 214 valid projects, total registered capital of 2.02 billion USD. Since 2012, the two sides have been negotiating the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and EFTA.
Regarding development cooperation, Vietnam is one of the few countries on Switzerland's list of priority partners for cooperation and non-refundable aid. The Switzerland-Vietnam development cooperation program for the 2021-2024 period has a capital of about 76 million USD. In May 2025, Switzerland pledged to allocate 50 million USD for the development cooperation program for the 2025-2028 period.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Moroccan House of Representatives Chairman with delegates from the two countries
In the humanitarian field, Switzerland has supported Vietnam with equipment to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic and overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi. Cooperation in other areas such as education, training, science, technology and innovation, sustainable development, culture and tourism between the two countries has great potential and room for promotion.
Cooperation between the two countries' parliaments has been good, with the most recent highlight being the official visit to Vietnam by President of the Swiss National Council (Lower House) Martin Candinas in June 2023. Accordingly, the two sides affirmed their utmost efforts to bring bilateral relations to new heights, bringing benefits to the people of the two countries, for peace and stability in the region and the world. The two sides regularly consult and support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the IPU, APF, and the Friendship Parliamentarians' Groups of the two countries' parliaments, carrying out many activities, contributing to promoting cooperation in various fields.
The Vietnamese community in Switzerland currently has about 10,000 people, living in 26 states. In general, they have a stable life, strictly abide by local laws, are united, have a spirit of turning towards their homeland and country and contribute to the development of friendly relations between Vietnam and Switzerland.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and delegates pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Photo: VNA
Vietnam National Assembly actively contributes to IPU
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is a mechanism of the IPU based on close cooperation with the United Nations, providing an opportunity for parliamentary leaders to contribute to the United Nations agenda.
The conference is held every five years and includes plenary sessions, panel discussions, roundtable discussions and presentations of key reports. Each conference is preceded by a meeting of the world's female Speakers of Parliament and concludes with the adoption of a joint statement drafted by a group of representatives of the Speakers of Parliament.
The 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament focused on the theme “A World in Turmoil: Parliamentary Cooperation and Multilateralism for Peace, Justice and Prosperity for All”, following the theme of the 150th IPU Assembly, towards the Social Development Summit taking place in November 2025.
Since becoming a member of the IPU in 1979, the Vietnamese National Assembly has always participated and actively contributed to the IPU. In April 2025, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly attended the 150th IPU Assembly in Uzbekistan. In the sessions of the World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, Vietnam always participates at the National Assembly Chairman level.
Demonstrating the responsibility and role of Vietnamese legislatures in participating in solving global issues
The working trip of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man took place in the context of the rapidly changing and unpredictable world situation, the world economy continues to have potential risks. Major countries are competing fiercely strategically but also seeking agreements on a number of issues. The United Nations and multilateral institutions, including the IPU, continue to affirm their indispensable role in promoting cooperation for peace and development. Although they continue to be the foundation of international relations, due to policy adjustments and strategic competition among major countries, resource shortages, the United Nations Charter and international law are seriously challenged, many global agendas are facing difficulties, including the implementation of sustainable development goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change, humanitarian assistance programs, development aid, etc.
In that context, the working trip of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is of great significance in continuing to implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactiveness and activeness in comprehensive and extensive international integration in the spirit of the 13th National Congress of our Party and the Resolutions, Conclusions and Directives of the Politburo, especially Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo dated January 24, 2025 on international integration in the new situation.
Attending the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at the highest level demonstrates Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism, while enhancing the image and position of Vietnam and the Vietnamese National Assembly in the international arena; continuing to affirm Vietnam's proactive, positive and responsible role in multilateral forums, and the substantial contributions of Vietnam and the Vietnamese National Assembly to the activities of the United Nations and the IPU.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends the opening ceremony of the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Photo: VNA
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will attend and deliver an important speech at the Plenary Session of the Conference, demonstrating the responsibility and role of the Vietnamese legislature in participating in solving global issues. The National Assembly Chairman will also have many activities within the framework of attending the Conference to promote relations, build a parliamentary cooperation network with countries and international organizations, contributing to mobilizing international support and assistance for the socio-economic development and priorities of our country.
This will also promote the role and position of Vietnam and the Vietnamese National Assembly in regional and international parliamentary cooperation mechanisms; share experiences and learn from other countries in building and supervising national policies, and solving urgent issues of current concern to the international community.
The working trip of the National Assembly Chairman also affirmed Vietnam's guidelines, policies and efforts in socio-economic development in recent times, as well as the role of the Vietnamese National Assembly in formulating and supervising the implementation of policies and laws to promote sustainable and equitable development, digital transformation and innovation.
The visit affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of always attaching importance to and wishing to promote the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Switzerland; strengthening cooperation with Switzerland in areas where Switzerland has advantages and Vietnam has development needs such as finance, banking, digital transformation, innovation, precision engineering; expanding cooperation in new areas such as renewable energy, green transformation, etc.; promoting negotiations and signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA); affirming Vietnam's readiness to promote its role as a bridge, strengthening the connection between Switzerland and ASEAN; continuing the cooperation contents between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Swiss Bicameral House.
With Senegal and Morocco, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man is the first key leader of Vietnam to officially visit Senegal since 1973, and to visit Morocco after 6 years. The visit of the National Assembly Chairman affirms Vietnam's consistent policy of always attaching importance to friendly relations with African friends, including Senegal and Morocco. The visit is of special significance in consolidating political trust, further deepening friendly relations, creating momentum to promote multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Senegal, Vietnam and Morocco, including parliamentary cooperation, creating a legal framework for the Governments and businesses of the two countries to promote cooperation in the coming time.
Upholding international law, together for sustainable development
The 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments is a very important event of parliamentary diplomacy. This conference was held in Switzerland with the participation of Parliaments of nearly 120 countries, including nearly 100 Speakers of Parliaments and National Assemblies of the countries. This demonstrates the importance and concern of the Parliaments of the countries for the world situation as well as the need to cooperate together to solve the difficulties and challenges of the world today.
The 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments has the theme “A world in turmoil: parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism for peace, justice and prosperity for all people”. In the context of the current world situation, it can be said that this is a very topical topic, showing the interest of the world in general and the parliaments of each country in particular.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs Don Tuan Phong
The high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly led by Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man will attend the Conference with many exciting activities. The Chairman of the National Assembly will deliver a speech at the plenary session of the Conference; hold bilateral meetings with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Presidents of Parliaments/Assemblies of other countries to promote bilateral relations in all areas, including parliamentary cooperation. Representatives of the Vietnamese delegation will also participate in speaking at a number of thematic discussion sessions.
In particular, the National Assembly Chairman's speech at the plenary session is expected to convey a message about Vietnam's guidelines and policies, especially the policy of cooperation for peace and sustainable development worldwide; assess the current world situation and the need to promote multilateral cooperation, in which parliaments of countries, as representatives of the people, representing the voice and aspirations of voters and the People, must join hands to promote cooperation measures for peace, stability and sustainable development worldwide. In the current complex world situation, the need for this cooperation is increasing.
It is expected that the National Assembly Chairman will also propose measures calling on parliaments of countries and the Inter-Parliamentary Union to join hands and promote international law to resolve disputes through peaceful means, address environmental challenges for mutual development and sustainable development.
Deputy Chairman of the National Defense Committee,
Security and Foreign Affairs
Don Tuan Phong
Pham Thuy
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/cam-ket-manh-me-vi-hoa-binh-cong-bang-va-thinh-vuong-cho-moi-nguoi-dan-tao-dong-luc-thuc-day-quan-he-viet-nam-voi-cac-nuoc-10380308.html
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