The Congress also set out directions for innovating activities, contributing to strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between the people of Vietnam and Spain in the new period.
On the morning of August 11, in Hanoi, the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association held the 4th National Congress, term 2026 - 2031.
Speaking at the opening of the Congress, Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, Chairman of the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association, said: The Congress takes place in the context of friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and Spain continuing to develop positively in many fields. The political relationship between the two countries is increasingly strengthened; cooperation in economy, trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges is constantly expanding.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Spain, opening up many opportunities for the two countries to continue to deepen cooperative relations. "In that context, people-to-people diplomacy continues to affirm its role as one of the important channels, contributing to consolidating trust, strengthening mutual understanding and building a solid social foundation for bilateral relations," Mr. Loi shared.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi emphasized that the 4th Congress is of great significance when summarizing and comprehensively evaluating the results of the Association's activities in the 2018 - 2025 term; determining directions, goals, tasks and solutions for the 2026 - 2031 term; and at the same time discussing and approving important documents, amending and supplementing the Association's Charter and electing the Executive Committee of the 4th term.
I believe that, with the spirit of "Solidarity - Friendship - Cooperation - Development", the delegates will promote the spirit of responsibility, democracy, wisdom, focus on discussion, and contribute many heartfelt opinions so that the Congress can complete the entire set program and achieve great success," Mr. Loi expressed.
The Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association is a member organization at the Central level of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, operating according to the Union's orientation, with the Standing Secretariat undertaken by the European Commission. Currently, the Association has three member organizations including the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association of Hanoi City, the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association of Nghe An Province and the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Branch of Hoa Sua Economic - Tourism Secondary School.
According to the report at the Congress, in the third term (2018 - 2025), the Executive Committee of the Association includes 31 members, including 11 members of the Standing Committee and 3 members of the Inspection Committee. Most of the members are working in ministries, branches, localities and businesses with cooperative relations with Spain. This is an advantage in connecting resources to serve people-to-people diplomacy activities, but also poses certain difficulties due to many concurrent members.
Reports at the Congress showed that under the direction of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, term 2018 - 2025, the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association has implemented many people-to-people diplomacy activities, contributing to strengthening understanding, solidarity and cooperative connection between the people of the two countries. Activities focused on five key task groups including promoting peace, solidarity, friendship; connecting cooperation in all fields; promoting foreign information; building and developing the Association organization; and emulation and commendation work.
Regarding the direction for the 2026 - 2031 term, the Vietnam - Spain Friendship Association identifies the goal of continuing to innovate and improve operational efficiency in a practical and effective direction; promote propaganda about the Party and State's internal and foreign policies, introduce the image of the country, people, culture and history of Vietnam and Spain, contributing to deepening the solidarity, friendship and cooperation relationship between the people of the two countries.
The Association also sets a goal to strengthen connecting activities, seek the support of Spanish friends for the cause of building, protecting and developing the country, and at the same time continue to consolidate and develop the Association organization to become increasingly strong, improving operational efficiency in all fields.
