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, branches and provinces and cities across the country. The full attendance of leaders of ministries, branches and localities demonstrated high political determination and the spirit of companionship and close coordination in implementing local foreign affairs - a field that is increasingly affirming its pivotal position in Vietnam's comprehensive and modern diplomacy.

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

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

In the context of complicated developments in the world and the region, local diplomacy not only plays a supporting role, but also increasingly becomes a pioneering force, directly contributing to maintaining a peaceful environment, mobilizing external resources and promoting the country's image. The conference focused on two major contents:

Firstly, summarize 3 years of implementing Decree 58/2022/ND-CP on foreign non-governmental work, thereby evaluating results, pointing out limitations and proposing solutions to improve institutions and improve management efficiency.

Second, local foreign affairs in the context of implementing two-level local government, reviewing the results of the first 6 months of the year, analyzing opportunities and challenges, and setting out directions and key tasks for the coming time.

The Deputy Minister suggested that the delegates attending the Conference focus on in-depth discussions on four key groups of issues: Comprehensive assessment of results and limitations in implementing local foreign affairs, from economic and cultural diplomacy to foreign non-governmental work; proposing solutions to improve coordination mechanisms; innovating 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, rising up, integration"; promoting the motto of "proactive, flexible, creative, effective", expanding cooperation in economics, trade, science - technology, digital transformation, associated with Resolution 57 on innovation and national digital transformation; building a team of professional, modern local foreign affairs officers with mettle, capacity and qualities, and at the same time 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 atmosphere, the Conference received many enthusiastic presentations from ministries, sectors and localities, reflecting a comprehensive picture of foreign affairs work in recent times. From attracting investment, promoting trade, promoting tourism to expanding people-to-people cooperation, opinions were unanimous that local diplomacy is becoming the "locomotive" connecting State diplomacy with the practical development needs of each locality.

An important highlight at the Conference was the introduction of Circular 09/2025/TT-BNG, which specifically stipulates the functions, tasks and powers of foreign affairs in the two-level government model. This document is considered an important legal corridor, helping the local foreign affairs system operate systematically, effectively and in sync with the general orientation of the Party and State's foreign affairs.

Notably, many localities such as An Giang, Nghe An, Cao Bang, and Quang Ninh shared vivid practices in implementing local foreign affairs, and at the same time proposed strengthening information sharing mechanisms, training officials, promoting international cooperation, and expanding cooperation networks with foreign partners.

Not only stopping at summarizing and evaluating, the Conference has contributed to shaping a new direction for local foreign affairs, affirming that this is an important channel in expanding international cooperation relations, practically serving socio-economic development, and at the same time spreading the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the world.

Seminar on local foreign affairs in the context of two-level local government.

In the context of increasingly deep international integration, the trend of “diplomacy from the grassroots” is becoming a strategic driving force, helping each province and city proactively expand relations, mobilize external resources and directly contribute to the cause of industrialization and modernization. With the spirit of innovation, creativity and pioneering, local foreign affairs will continue to consolidate new positions and strengths 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 working spirit of the delegates, considering this a valuable practical source for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue to improve policies and coordination mechanisms. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Conference has become an important bridge between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and localities, contributing to unifying awareness, vision and creating consensus in implementing local foreign affairs.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that in the new context, localities are the “locomotives” promoting socio-economic development, while local foreign affairs will be the “engine” creating momentum for international integration, especially in attracting investment, expanding trade cooperation, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people exchange. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to be a reliable support, accompanying localities, contributing to bringing the country firmly 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