Announcing the news at a press briefing in Hanoi on November 21, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vice President Don Tuan Phong spoke of the challenges Vietnam faces as a middle-income country that is no longer a priority for aid.

Poverty reduction and sustainable development projects undertaken by FNGOs have helped improve Vietnamese people’s living conditions and lessened the burden on a State budget already stretched beyond its capacity, he said.

The Vietnamese Party and State appreciate valuable and effective assistance of international organisations and NGOs to the country, and will make the most of their assistance, Phong said. 

The third meeting will review the results of Vietnam-FNGO cooperation between 2003-2013; encourage government agencies and FNGOs to share information and experience; outline Vietnam’s 2013–2017 socio-economic development priorities; and hear suggestions on new, more effective methods for future cooperation.

It encompasses eight professional seminars on health care, education, socio-economic development, poverty reduction in remote areas, vocational training and employment, social issues, unexploded ordnance and Agent Orange mitigation, environmental protection, and climate change and natural disaster responses.

VUFO Vice General Secretary Phan Anh Son said the conference is expected to attract around 750–800 guests, including representatives from both FNGOs in Vietnam and those yet to commence Vietnam-based operations, bilateral and multilateral development cooperation agencies, aid donors, embassies, strategic research institutes, people’s ogranisations, ministries, departments, and provincial authorities.

FNGOs have grown into a significant presence within Vietnam during the last decade., The country currently has ties with more than 950 FNGOs disbursing US$300 million in capital every year.