Mr. Lai Ngoc Doan was elected to hold the position of Chairman of the Vietnam - Uzbekistan Friendship Association for the 2025-2030 term.

Also attending were Mr. Uong Chu Luu, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee; Mr. Phan Xuan Dung, former member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations; representatives of ministries, departments, branches, bilateral friendship associations of Vietnam with European countries and a large number of members of the Vietnam - Uzbekistan Friendship Association (Association).

Innovation for sustainable development

According to the report presented at the Congress, in the 2025-2030 term, the Association aims to innovate and improve operational efficiency, creating specific and practical results in people-to-people diplomacy. Propagating and introducing the Party and State's domestic and foreign policies and guidelines, achievements in Vietnam's renovation process; providing information about the country, people, culture and history of the two countries to deepen the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

The Association also aims to build and consolidate the Association's organization to become increasingly strong and develop in all aspects as a basis for promoting people-to-people diplomacy activities, and to seek the support of Uzbekistani friends for Vietnam's cause of building, protecting and developing the country.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung (seventh from left, front row), Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, presented flowers to congratulate the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Uzbekistan Friendship Association for the 2025-2030 term. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Congress elected an Executive Committee of 48 members; a Standing Committee of 13 members. Ambassador Lai Ngoc Doan was elected as President of the Association for the 2025-2030 term.

5 key tasks in the new term

Speaking at the Congress, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, praised the Association's efforts in the 2018-2025 term, and suggested 5 key tasks for the new term:

Firstly, build an action program to implement the resolution of the 6th Congress for the entire term and each year, closely following the working orientation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, spoke at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Second, innovate the form and content of activities in accordance with the potential of the two countries and the advantages of people-to-people diplomacy; increase the participation of young people, businesses and universities on the basis of bringing benefits to all participants. Organize information sharing sessions, online seminars, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations is ready to support, coordinate and provide necessary conditions for the Association to organize these activities.

Third, in terms of partners, the Association currently mainly maintains relations with the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Uzbekistan Committee for Inter-ethnic Relations and Friendly Cooperation with Foreign Countries. In the coming time, the Association needs to continue to exchange and maintain regular contact to consolidate and maintain relations with these traditional partners. A positive signal is that within the framework of the official visit to Uzbekistan by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (April 2025), the two sides agreed to consider the early opening of representative offices in each country to strengthen connections and promote effective bilateral cooperation. This is an extremely necessary condition, the Association needs to pay attention to preparing for this plan. In the immediate future, it is necessary to promote the role of the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese businesses operating in Uzbekistan in connecting and exchanging with local partners, especially organizations and units interested in and having cooperative relations with Vietnam.

Fourth, increase the promotion of economic, trade, educational and tourism cooperation in people-to-people exchange activities; act as a bridge for twinning and cooperation between enterprises, universities, research institutes and localities to implement economic diplomacy policies.

Fifth, promote information sharing and foreign propaganda, promote the application of information technology to more widely inform about the foreign policies and achievements of Vietnam as well as Uzbekistan so that the two sides can understand each other better.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung presented the souvenir flag of the Presidium of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to the Vietnam - Uzbekistan Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On this occasion, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung presented the souvenir flag of the Presidium of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations with the words "Proactive, flexible, creative, effective" to the Association.

Outstanding activities in the term 2018-2025

The summary report at the Congress stated that during the 2018-2025 term, the Association has carried out many diverse and practical activities contributing to consolidating and developing the people-to-people friendship between the two countries.

Typically, in 2019, the President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations attended the 5th MGIMO Alumni International Forum held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).

In 2022, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Uzbekistan, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Association will organize a series of exchange activities, art performances, exchange congratulatory letters and welcome the delegation of the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association to visit Vietnam.

In 2023, a delegation of 28 members visited their old school in Uzbekistan.

In 2024, the President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov in Hanoi with the participation of the leaders and members of the Association.

In addition, the Association also coordinated with the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Uzbekistan Committee for Inter-ethnic Relations and Friendly Cooperation with Foreign Countries to organize many cultural and artistic activities: "Photo exhibition "Uzbekistan: Pearl of Central Asia" (2018); painting contest about the country and people of Uzbekistan for children and teenagers in Hanoi (2018); television programs introducing the history and culture of Uzbekistan.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Association provided humanitarian assistance to Uzbek and Russian citizens stranded in Vietnam.

In July 2021, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Association signed online Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Uzbekistan Committee for Inter-ethnic Relations and Friendly Cooperation with Foreign Countries and the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, creating a comprehensive legal framework for people-to-people cooperation between the two countries.

In particular, the Association introduced the book "Prison Diary" translated into Uzbek; mobilized Uzbek friends to participate in the National Award for Foreign Information. The song "Tashkent - Hanoi" composed by the Association won the Third Prize of the 9th National Award for Foreign Information.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/ong-lai-ngoc-doan-duoc-bau-giu-chuc-chu-tich-hoi-huu-nghi-viet-nam-uzbekistan-nhiem-ky-2025-2030-213593.html