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On May 26th, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Head of the Steering Committee for Cultural Diplomacy, chaired the annual meeting at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi, attended by representatives from 24 units within the Ministry that are members of the Steering Committee.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Head of the Steering Committee for Cultural Diplomacy, chaired the meeting.

The meeting aimed to review the results of cultural diplomacy work over the past period, summarize one year of implementing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ' action plan for the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030, and discuss specific, breakthrough initiatives and measures for cultural diplomacy work in the future.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc emphasized that, in the context of the continuing complex and unpredictable global situation, all countries are focusing on strengthening cultural diplomacy to build trust, consolidate influence, and increase national soft power.

Currently, the Party, the State, and the Government are paying close attention to and prioritizing the development of culture and cultural diplomacy. The 13th National Congress of the Party set the task of "further promoting cultural diplomacy, making practical contributions to strongly promoting the national image and strengthening the overall power of the country."

At the National Cultural Conference on implementing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress (November 2021), General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated the point that "Culture must be placed on par with economics, politics, and society."

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its role as the lead agency in implementing the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030, is also striving to implement the Ministry's Action Program to carry out the policies and guidelines of the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Resolution of the 31st Diplomatic Conference, which includes thoroughly understanding the guiding principles on building and developing Vietnamese culture, contributing to arousing aspirations for national development, and strongly promoting the cultural values ​​and people of Vietnam in the cause of national construction and defense and international integration.

Representatives from 24 units within the Ministry, who are members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Steering Committee for Cultural Diplomacy, attended the meeting.

The Steering Committee for Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its leading and supervisory role, needs to be more proactive and creative in order to advise on feasible tools and methods to further promote cultural diplomacy, adapting to the new situations and contexts of today.

At the meeting, delegates assessed that the Ministry's cultural diplomacy work had achieved positive results. Over the past period, cultural diplomacy has contributed to strengthening relations with countries and international organizations, serving development and enhancing the country's position; improving effectiveness at multilateral forums, ensuring national interests, and effectively utilizing resources to support sustainable national development; advising, accompanying, and supporting ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses, concretizing the motto "Cultural diplomacy with localities, people, and businesses at the center."

However, the members of the Steering Committee unanimously agreed that there is still much room for improvement in cultural diplomacy. Delegates proposed initiatives to strengthen support for localities, enhance coordination within and outside the Ministry, mobilize resources from the Vietnamese community abroad and businesses, promote and apply digital transformation… to further advance cultural diplomacy in the future.

Members of the Steering Committee visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel - one of Vietnam's eight World Heritage sites inscribed by UNESCO in 2010.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of the Steering Committee in particular and cultural diplomacy in general, in the conclusion of the meeting, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc directed the Steering Committee to focus on three main issues: coordination mechanisms, implementation resources, and breakthrough solutions.

Members of the Steering Committee listened to a presentation about the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The Steering Committee needs to continue to proactively coordinate the working groups of its members on specific topics, further strengthen the participation of localities, businesses, and overseas Vietnamese in cultural diplomacy activities, and categorize breakthrough initiatives and solutions for monitoring and phased implementation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, members of the Steering Committee visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel – one of Vietnam's eight World Heritage sites inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngoai-giao-van-hoa-doi-moi-dot-pha-ve-tu-duy-va-hanh-dong-228620.html