Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the meeting

Over the past 75 years, the diplomatic sector has major recorded achievements, contributing to national liberation and reunification in the past and the current national development. Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 189 UN member countries and built a network of 30 strategic and comprehensive partners, including world powers and all ASEAN countries.

The diplomatic sector has played an important role in boosting Vietnam’s economic integration and Vietnam’s major posts at international organizations such as Chairman of the ASEAN, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, and Chairman of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Council.

Prime Minister Phuc praised the diplomatic sector’s role in fighting COVID-19: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked with organizations to arrange flights to repatriate about 30,000 Vietnamese citizens and transport medical aids to overseas partners. The sector has helped procedures to bring thousands of foreign experts, managers, and investors to Vietnam. Vietnam has provided medical equipment to 49 countries and two international organizations, many of them are Vietnam’s strategic partners, comprehensive partners, and traditional friends.”

The Prime Minister said global complications and challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, and pandemics have set tough tasks for the diplomatic sector. “External affairs need to continue to promote its role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment to attract external resources in combination with internal strength for Vietnam’s faster and sustainable development and raising Vietnam’s status internationally.”

He asked the diplomatic sector to further deepen Vietnam’s relations with countries, enhance economic ties, and elevate Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy.