Outstanding mark
Sharing an overview of Vietnam's diplomatic landscape in 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son pointed out the outstanding achievements of the foreign affairs and diplomacy sector. Firstly, on the basis of an independent, self-reliant, multilateral and diversified foreign policy, Vietnam's foreign affairs and diplomacy are increasingly dynamic, creative and proactive.
Second, this year, Vietnam has upgraded its relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with major partners such as Australia, France, Malaysia, upgraded its relations to Strategic Partnership with Brazil, established Comprehensive Partnership with Mongolia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)...; thereby creating a framework for relations with 32 leading partners, including neighboring countries, major countries, important partners and traditional friends.
Third, economic diplomacy continues to make a positive contribution to the country's overall economic achievements despite the world economy still in a difficult period. Economic content increasingly occupies a large weight in foreign affairs activities at all levels, especially at high levels, thereby connecting and enlisting partners such as China, the US, Japan, South Korea, India, etc. in digital transformation, green transformation, semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence.
Fourth, national defense - security - foreign affairs have truly formed a tripod, contributing to firmly protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and protecting the Fatherland from early on and from afar. Diplomacy has worked with other forces to maintain peaceful and stable borders, seas and islands, and national security, achieved many important advances in negotiations with other countries, harmoniously resolved remaining issues, and promoted the development of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Fifth, Vietnam has increasingly affirmed its role, position, prestige and made many positive contributions to the international community. In organizations where Vietnam is undertaking important responsibilities such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and 6/7 important executive mechanisms of UNESCO, Vietnam has promoted its image and responsible voice with a comprehensive, holistic and harmonious approach.
Sixth, the country's position and strength are constantly enhanced by the effective resonance of foreign affairs such as foreign information, cultural diplomacy, overseas Vietnamese affairs, and citizen protection. Diplomacy has contributed to successfully lobbying UNESCO to add 6 more titles/heritages, bringing the total number of UNESCO titles to 71, creating a new resource for economic, cultural, and social development in localities.
Foreign affairs - Vietnamese diplomacy in the era of national growth
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that, as General Secretary To Lam said, our country is standing at a new historical starting point. Bringing the country into a new era, an era of rising up, is in line with the trend of the times and the practices and experiences of previous countries. Lessons from previous countries show that in that process, foreign affairs play an important role, positioning Vietnam favorably in the flow of the times and combining national strength with the strength of the times to serve the country's rise up.
The task of foreign affairs is to consolidate and maintain this situation firmly in the face of fluctuations, creating conditions for the country to enter a new stage of development; playing a constructive and dynamic role, opening up new opportunities for the country to rise up.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, to bring the country into a new era, it is necessary to build an increasingly comprehensive, modern, and professional foreign affairs and diplomacy system, and to streamline the organization of foreign affairs work and operate effectively and efficiently.
