"For a friendly and hospitable Vietnam" and "For a green Vietnam" would be messages conveyed through the 11th Asia-Pacific International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference (AP-11) to be held in Hanoi from November 20 to 23.

The event is expected to introduce to international friends Vietnam's unique cultural features, rich national identity of the country and people, as well as typical and outstanding activities of the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) in disaster prevention and response. 

The VRC is ready to help people in areas affected by natural disasters. Photo: Hanoimoi

This is the second time that the VRC has hosted the important quadrennial event, said Nguyen Duc Khai, Head of the Office of the VRC Central Committee.

The official noted that the conference will take place against the backdrop of many emerging humanitarian issues, especially climate change, natural disasters, catastrophes, and epidemics.

"The conference is an opportunity to showcase Vietnam's achievements, promote VRC's development cooperation activities with international partners and organizations in Vietnam, and reaffirm the commitment of the Vietnamese Government and the responsibility of regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in responding to climate change and disasters," Khai added.

He noted that as part of the event, some 400 local and international delegates will participate in the Asia Pacific Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth Forum under the theme "Strengthening resilience: Inspiring Youth Leaders to Promote Disaster Preparedness," to deal with disasters.

Along with quickly and actively drawing up a budget plan, the VRC also signed cooperation agreements with media, event, and partner companies, sought sponsorship, and developed an event management application for mobile phones that met the "green" requirements of the four-day conference (no printed materials).