Local foreign affairs conference: Strengthening coordination, promoting pioneering role in new development stage

On the afternoon of August 25, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a conference on local foreign affairs in the new context. Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van chaired the conference.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van delivered the opening speech at the Conference.

The conference was attended by 114 delegates from central ministries and agencies, as well as provinces and cities nationwide. The full attendance of leaders from ministries, agencies, and localities demonstrates high political determination and a spirit of close cooperation and coordination in implementing local foreign affairs work – a field that is increasingly asserting its position as a pillar in Vietnam's comprehensive and modern diplomacy.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van warmly welcomed and thanked the delegates for their participation, considering it a great source of encouragement and contributing to spreading the spirit of solidarity and responsibility in common work. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the conference was taking place at a special time, as the whole country was looking forward to celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, National Day on September 2nd, and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was also the first conference after Vietnam implemented the two-tiered local government model, posing new requirements for thinking, coordination mechanisms, and implementation methods.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Conference is taking place at a special time, as the whole country is looking forward to celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, National Day on September 2nd, and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic Service.

Against the backdrop of complex global and regional developments, local foreign relations not only play a supporting role but are increasingly becoming a pioneering force, directly contributing to maintaining a peaceful environment, securing external resources, and promoting the country's image. The conference focused on two main topics:

Firstly, the review will summarize the results of the past three years of implementing Decree 58/2022/ND-CP on the work of foreign non-governmental organizations, thereby evaluating the results, identifying limitations, and proposing solutions to improve the institutional framework and enhance management effectiveness.

Secondly, local foreign affairs work in the context of implementing a two-tiered local government system, reviewing the results of the first six months of the year, analyzing opportunities and challenges, and setting out key directions and tasks for the coming period.

The Deputy Minister requested that delegates participating in the Conference focus their discussions on four key issues: a comprehensive assessment of the results and limitations in the implementation of local foreign affairs, from economic and cultural diplomacy to work with foreign non-governmental organizations; proposals for solutions to improve coordination mechanisms; innovation in thinking and methods, clearly affirming the role of local foreign affairs in implementing Resolution 59 of the Politburo on international integration, with the spirit of "breakthrough, progress, and integration"; promoting the motto "proactive, flexible, creative, and effective," expanding cooperation in economics, trade, science and technology, and digital transformation, in conjunction with Resolution 57 on national innovation and digital transformation; building a professional, modern, capable, and qualified team of local foreign affairs officials, while effectively mobilizing social resources to make local foreign affairs a pioneering channel in international integration.

Conference session to review 3 years of implementing Decree 58/2022/ND-CP on foreign non-governmental work in Vietnam.

In an open and constructive atmosphere, the Conference recorded many insightful presentations from ministries, sectors, and localities, reflecting a comprehensive picture of foreign affairs work in the past period. From attracting investment, promoting trade, and advertising tourism to expanding people-to-people cooperation, all opinions agreed that local diplomacy is becoming the "locomotive" linking state diplomacy with the practical development needs of each locality.

A key highlight of the Conference was the introduction of Circular 09/2025/TT-BNG, which specifically regulates the functions, tasks, and powers of foreign affairs within the two-tiered government model. This document is considered an important legal framework, helping local foreign affairs systems operate systematically, effectively, and in line with the overall direction of the Party and State's foreign policy.

Notably, many localities such as An Giang, Nghe An, Cao Bang, and Quang Ninh shared vivid best practices in implementing local foreign affairs, while also proposing to strengthen mechanisms for information sharing, staff training, international promotion, and expanding cooperation networks with foreign partners.

Beyond simply summarizing and evaluating, the Conference contributed to shaping a new direction for local foreign relations, affirming it as an important channel for expanding international cooperation, practically serving socio-economic development, and simultaneously spreading the image of Vietnam and its people to the world.

Seminar on local foreign affairs in the context of a two-tiered local government structure.

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, the trend of "grassroots diplomacy" is becoming a strategic driving force, helping each province and city proactively expand relations, leverage external resources, and directly contribute to the cause of industrialization and modernization. With a spirit of innovation, creativity, and pioneering, local foreign affairs will continue to strengthen its position and capabilities for the sustainable development of the country in the coming period.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van highly appreciated the responsible and constructive spirit of the delegates, considering it a valuable source of practical experience for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue improving policies and coordination mechanisms. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the conference had become an important bridge between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and localities, contributing to unifying understanding, vision, and creating consensus in the implementation of local foreign affairs.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that, in the new context, localities are the "locomotives" driving socio-economic development, while local diplomacy will be the "engine" creating momentum for international integration, especially in attracting investment, expanding cooperation in trade, science and technology, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to be a reliable support, accompanying localities, contributing to the country's steady progress on the path of sustainable development and deep international integration.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van took a photo with delegates attending the Conference.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-nghi-cong-tac-doi-ngoai-dia-phuong-tang-cuong-phoi-hop-phat-huy-vai-tro-tien-phong-trong-giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-325577.html