Hong said the fifth VUFO Congress is of great significance in promoting Vietnam’s international status. Ensuring external affairs have been implemented comprehensively, contributing to a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

The Party and State has emphasised the need to revise the growth model, restructure the national economy and actively promote international integration.

Regarding external affairs, Vietnam will continue to enhance its relations with regional neighbouring countries and traditional friends, maintaining close links and all-round cooperation with strategic partners.

In recent years VUFO has devised an action plan to realise the 11^th National Party Congress’ resolution on improving the efficiency of people-to-people diplomacy.

The organisation has also studied the Party Central Committee’s instruction on renewing and increasing its operational efficiency. Peace, cooperation and development remain key consistent trends amid complex global developments and challenges.

Under the motto “Pro-active, flexible, creative and efficient” and slogan “Peace, friendship, cooperation and integration”, VUFO and its members will continue to prioritise diplomacy by expanding and diversifying the ties of friendship and cooperation with people worldwide.

Hong said during this period of extensive international integration, people to-people diplomacy has been boosted far and wide, in diverse form at all levels.

Diplomacy has played an important role in the country’s external policy thus creating a favourable international environment for boosting national development and protecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Regarding activities relating to foreign non-governmental organisations (Foreign NGOs) aid, Hong said his organization has successfully performed its role as a standing agency of the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs.

From 2008 to early 2013, the union has mobilised large amounts of Foreign NGOs aid to assist national construction and development.

15,000 Foreign NGOs-funded programmes and projects worth more than US$1.4 billion have been carried out in Vietnam focusing on poverty reduction, sustainable community development, healthcare, education, environmental protection, emergency aid and settlement of social affairs and the consequences of war.

Following successful performance, the union will continue implementing national target programmes to call for Foreign NGOs aid over the 2013-2017 period and maintain close links with Foreign NGOs organisations and individuals involved in programmes and projects in Vietnam.

The fifth VUFO congress will discuss major objectives for the next five years with a long-term vision and strategy for improving operational efficiency.

The union will endeavour to develop and expand networks of international friends and partners, actively engage in important multilateral institutions and improving Foreign NGOs activities for stronger development in the future, said Hong.