Hanoi's external affairs to promote comprehensive international integration
WVR - As the political, economic and cultural center of the country, Hanoi always pays attention to and focuses on external affairs. With operational efficiency on various aspects, in recent times, external affairs activities have contributed to promoting and spreading the capital’s good image to the community and international friends.
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Affirming the capital’s role in external affairs
In April, Hanoi city became vibrant with the 12th Vietnam - France decentralized Cooperation Conference with the theme “Decentralized cooperation: The driving force for comprehensive and sustainable recovery and development after the COVID-19 pandemic”, officially held in Hanoi.
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| Delegates at the 12th Vietnam-France decentralized cooperation Conference, with the theme “Decentralized cooperation: The driving force for comprehensive and sustainable recovery and development after the Covid-19 pandemic” in Hanoi on April 14, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
Taking place April 13 to 16, 2023, the Conference is a special event held in the context of the two countries celebrating 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership in 2023. The Conference focused on exchanges and discussions revolved around thematic seminars in the fields on: Sustainable cities; Environment, water and water treatment; Culture, heritage and tourism; Smart cities and digitization. In addition, many side activities were also organized to further tighten the solidarity and exchange between localities and partners of the two countries, such as: the exciting and jubilant atmosphere coming from the “Colors of Vietnam” program and “Walking in France” festival.
Delegates from France also had the opportunity to visit the heritage of Hanoi and Ninh Binh and were impressed with the beauty of the country, the people of Vietnam in general and the Hanoi capital in particular.
After attending all the contents of the Conference, Ms. Virgine Rouquette (delegate from France) expressed: “The 12th Vietnam-France decentralized Cooperation Conference was successful along with events and programs about culture and tourism that have left a good impression in our hearts. I hope to have more opportunities to come to Vietnam”.
At the closing session of the Conference, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee (People’s Committee) affirmed that the Conference will certainly be an unforgettable mark in the series of activities commemorating 50 years of establishing diplomatic ties and 10 years of strategic partnership between Vietnam and France. The working sessions of the Conference were of extremely high quality, with beneficial knowledge to suggest plans and activities for bilateral cooperation in the future.
According to Director of the Hanoi External Relations Department Ngo Minh Hoang, the 12th Vietnam - France decentralized Cooperation Conference is a highlight of the City’s external affairs in the first 8 months of the year. That shows the important role, prestige and contribution of the local-level cooperation mechanism in the mutual relationship between Vietnam and France.
Not only the success of the 12th Vietnam - France decentralized Cooperation Conference, the Capital’s external affairs activities have been deployed comprehensively and extensively, contributing to overall achievements in the Capital’s socio-economic development. Bilateral friendly relations and cooperation with capitals, cities and foreign partners continue to be maintained and strengthened.
Hanoi city’s external affairs are always closely linked to the implementation of socio-economic recovery and development tasks, promoting comprehensive international integration, of which international economic integration is the center.
The city has focused on strengthening traditional friendships and strategic partnerships around the world and at multilateral forums. The city also has led and directed the organization of major external affairs events with important political significance. The work of organizing the departure delegation and welcoming the incoming delegation was organized economically, thoughtfully, safely and effectively. The city organized 4 delegations to accompany the Central Government, 5 delegations of the City’s leaders in the first 8 months of 2023.
In addition, cultural diplomacy continues to be promoted with rich contents to further improve understanding of Hanoi - Vietnam in the international arena. External affairs events, conferences, and seminars are organized thoughtfully and respectfully. Multilateral external affairs activities that contribute to enhancing the Capital’s position with countries in the region and around the world continue to be promoted.
“External affairs activities have contributed to overall achievements in the Capital’s socio-economic development. In particular, in the first 6 months of the year, the city attracted nearly 2.265 million USD in FDI capital, leading the country and exceeding the results in 2022. The city has approved 10 non-project aid programs from the grant in aids that are not part of official development support for international organizations with an aid value of more than 20 billion VND”, Ms. Hoang said.
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| Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on October 15, 2023. (Photo: Tuan Viet/WVR) |
Besides the achieved results, Hanoi city’s external affairs in the first 8 months of 2023 still has some difficulties and problems. In particular, the general difficulties of the world economy have caused some projects using foreign investment to be slow in implementation, affecting the effectiveness of economic diplomacy. Some Central regulations were issued a long time ago and have not been reviewed, amended or supplemented in a timely manner, so they do not appropriately meet the development trend of international integration and external affairs practices. The Central Government has not been proactive in finding and connecting with potential foreign partner localities.
A representative of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade said that regarding international trade promotion activities in the domestic market, the Department has successfully organized 3 fairs, such as the Hanoi Industrial Products, Machinery, Equipment and Automation Fair 2023, which attracted nearly 200 stalls of domestic and international entrepreneurs, for example Korea, Japan, and Thai Lan. Regarding the organization and management of delegations, in the first 8 months of 2023, the Department successfully organized 2 trade promotion delegations, including a trade promotion delegation in Lao craft villages; The delegation participated in fairs and trade connections in Singapore and Malaysia. As a result, entrepreneurs searched and signed with potential partners.
The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade proposed that the City pay attention to facilitating for the Department and units implementing international economic integration and trade promotion delegations are organized to promote trade abroad since the effectiveness of online trade has not been as effective as expected. Annually, the city continues to concentrate on allocating funding for international integration and external affairs for units to properly carry out this task.
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen said that over the past 35 years, the City’s external affairs has had several breakthroughs under the motto of multilateralism, diversification of international relations, and readiness to be a reliable friend and partner of countries around the world.
In order for the City’s external affairs to develop in the upcoming time, Mr. Quyen requested that the Capital’s external affairs in general and the Hanoi External Relations Department’s external affairs in particular need to be more innovative, creative, powerful and effective. He also promoted research, advice, and strategic forecasting of the world and regional landscape that may impact the Capital.
At the same time, Mr. Quyen determined the orientation and built a long-term and annual foreign policy plan in accordance with the policies, context, and practical situation of the city, the country and the world. In addition, departments, sectors and localities promote attracting domestic and foreign resources for development, deepening relations with partners, promoting international integration, and striving to make Hanoi a role model in external affairs.
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