Enhancing coordination and effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy
WVR - On June 12, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van chaired the Conference on people-to-people diplomacy for the first half of 2026.
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| Overview of the Conference on people-to-people diplomacy for the first half of 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The conference was attended by leaders and officials in charge of foreign affairs from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level, and leaders of functional units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation.
Linking the three pillars of foreign affairs
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy in the first half of 2026 were implemented based on a new mindset regarding the role, position, and tasks of foreign affairs. The 14th National Party Congress for the first time identified foreign affairs as a “crucial, regular” task alongside national defense and security, while continuing to affirm the role of people's foreign affairs as one of the three pillars of foreign affairs.
Following Resolution 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025, on international integration in the new situation, Resolution 06-NQ/TW dated May 19, 2026, of the Politburo has concretized the guidelines and policies identified by the 14th National Party Congress, reflecting the Party's ideology and vision on foreign affairs to meet the country's development requirements in the new era. This represents a significant development in the Party's leadership thinking but also places great responsibilities on those working in people-to-people diplomacy.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van delivering the opening speech at the Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The report at the Conference indicated that in the context of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, and some mass organizations preparing for the 2026-2031 term Congress, people-to-people diplomacy in the first half of 2026 remained a focus and increasingly demonstrated its role as one of the three pillars of foreign affairs. It contributed to strengthening and deepening Vietnam's cooperative relationships with other countries, mobilizing resources for national development, and promoting Vietnam's image and culture.
The linkage between party external relations, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy has been strengthened. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has focused on advising and incorporating content and tasks related to enhancing exchanges and cooperation through the people's channel into joint statements, projects, and plans to promote relations between Vietnam and other countries. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and many other organizations have actively participated and coordinated in implementing people's foreign affairs activities within the framework of high-level foreign affairs activities.
Improving the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy
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| Delegates expressing their opinions at the Conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the Conference, representatives of people's organizations shared notable achievements in the first half of 2026, the focus for the upcoming period, and appreciated the guidance and support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also highlighted some issues related to financial mechanisms, regulations, and procedures affecting the implementation of foreign affairs activities and expressed a desire for support in enhancing the capacity of personnel involved in people-to-people diplomacy at both central and local levels. A representative from the Ministry of Home Affairs suggested that organizations continue to improve operational efficiency in line with their principles and purposes and comply with reporting regulations.
Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van urged organizations to coordinate closely to complete regulations and procedures soon, facilitating the planning and implementation of foreign affairs activities. He also tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs units with continuing to exchange information, guide, and support people's organizations in implementing foreign affairs activities and enhancing coordination among the pillars of foreign affairs.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van delivering the concluding remarks. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Strengthening the social foundation for national development
Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van highly appreciated the efforts, flexibility, and creativity of people's organizations in implementing numerous people's foreign affairs activities with both bilateral partners and at multilateral forums, achieving notable results that contributed to the overall success of the country's foreign affairs.
Regarding future activity directions, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van urged people's organizations to continue to play a pioneering role in building and strengthening a favourable social foundation, enhancing friendship and support from the peoples of other countries for Vietnam. He encouraged them to proactively propose new initiatives, beneficial cooperative activities for the country, and attract external resources in specialized fields, contributing to achieving the "double-digit" growth target.
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| Delegates taking a group photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
