Enhancing Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy in the new context

On the morning of December 3, in Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics chaired and coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize an international scientific conference with the theme "Elevating Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy in the new context", to summarize the implementation process of the multilateral foreign policy strategy set out in the documents of the 13th National Party Congress, aiming at breakthrough solutions for Vietnam's multilateral foreign affairs activities in the new development period.

Báo Tin Tức•03/12/2025

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang co-chaired the workshop.

In his opening speech, introducing the workshop, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Hoang Phuc Lam emphasized that the world is changing at an unprecedented speed in modern history. Geopolitical, economic , technological and environmental fluctuations not only change the way countries interact with each other, but also reshape international cooperation standards. In that context, multilateral diplomacy emerges as an important pillar, where countries come together to seek common ground, share responsibilities and build sustainable solutions to global problems.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, the 21st century has witnessed profound, structural changes to the international system. The principles that once shaped the post-Cold War order are facing unprecedented challenges. It is in this context that multilateralism shows its irreplaceable role. As global issues, from climate change, water security, epidemics, cyber security, food security to digital space governance, become increasingly complex, no country can solve them alone. The increasingly close interdependence between countries creates an urgent need for multilateral cooperation.

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam stated that multilateral diplomacy has always been an important pillar in Vietnam's foreign policy. The 13th National Party Congress clearly defined the task of "Promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy", emphasizing the need to proactively participate in shaping multilateral institutions, especially at ASEAN and the United Nations.

Over more than three decades of integration, multilateral diplomacy has become an important driving force helping Vietnam consolidate a peaceful and stable environment for development; enhance the country's position and image; expand international relations, attract investment, technology and resources for development; create favorable conditions in handling relations with major countries; and contribute to implementing the strategy of protecting the Fatherland early and from afar.

In the new context, to elevate multilateral diplomacy, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam said that Vietnam needs to have a new mindset about the role, scope and content of multilateralism; improve forecasting capacity, strategic planning and participation in institution building; strengthen human resource training for multilateral diplomacy; proactively participate in new mechanisms on technology, environment, digital data, artificial intelligence (AI), maritime security, water security; combine national strength with the strength of the international partnership network.

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, emphasized: “Towards the 14th Congress, facing new opportunities and new challenges, Vietnam is determined to further promote its role in multilateral mechanisms, proactively create rules of the game, and actively contribute to shaping a common future for peace, cooperation and sustainable development. This workshop demonstrates thorough theoretical preparation and a profound summary of multilateral foreign affairs practices, thereby serving as a basis for advising the Party in formulating policies, bringing the country into a new stage of development, and further enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.”

Co-chairing the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed: Multilateral diplomacy is an important pillar to firmly protect independence, sovereignty and promote national development. Vietnam commits to strengthening cooperation with partners, proactively participating in shaping multilateral institutions, attracting foreign resources to effectively serve domestic development goals, contributing to building an international order based on rules, equality and mutual respect, for peace and common prosperity.

The workshop has two main sessions and two roundtable discussions, combining discussion sessions to create an open dialogue space for frank and highly constructive exchange of opinions.

At the workshop, experts, scientists, diplomats... focused on clarifying the theoretical and practical basis of multilateral diplomacy.

Some experts and scholars emphasize that the Ho Chi Minh School of Diplomacy is a valuable heritage and continues to illuminate the process of consolidating and developing Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy today, with the principles of "independence, autonomy" and "adapting to all changes", ensuring territorial integrity and national sovereignty in a flexible and agile manner.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said that on May 31, 1946, before leaving for France to attend the Fontainebleau conference, President Ho Chi Minh confidently handed over the power of President to Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang: "Because of the national mission assigned to me, I have to go away for a while. At home, I rely on you and your colleagues to solve all difficulties. I hope you will be unchangeable and respond to all changes." Since then, "unchangeable and respond to all changes" has become the golden principle of Vietnamese diplomacy. "Unchangeable and respond to all changes" means using the unchangeable (unchangeable) to respond to all changes (all changes).

Delegates also analyzed the geostrategic shift, major power competition, the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, traditional and non-traditional security challenges that are taking place rapidly and unpredictably, along with the rise of new multilateral institutions. Delegates agreed that this context creates opportunities for Vietnam to promote its role, be proactive and creative in policy, perfect institutions, train high-quality human resources, strengthen research, strategic forecasting, promote economic and cultural diplomacy, digital transformation and diplomacy for development. Representatives of diplomatic delegations expressed their commitment to accompany, support and appreciate Vietnam's increasingly positive and responsible contributions.

The workshop is not only an opportunity for domestic and foreign delegates to exchange academic knowledge, but also a place to gather knowledge, experience and strategic vision to contribute to the policy-making process of the Party and State, while affirming Vietnam's role in the reshaping multilateral system, as well as the necessary steps for Vietnam to better promote its role, position and responsibility.

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