Celebrating Africa Day 2023 in Hanoi

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Ambassadors of African countries attend the Africa Day 2023 in Hanoi. Photo: Anh Son

The event was attended by representatives of the embassies of many African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Libya, Mozambique, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, along with those of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and officials from many Vietnamese ministries and sectors .

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc highlighted the significance of Africa Day, marking the foundation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union (AU), exactly 60 years ago.

The Deputy Minister Africa's great development achievements in recent years, especially the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He congratulated the contributions of the AU and the people of Africa in solving global challenges, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

The Deputy Minister believed that in the near future, Africa will become one of the new growth powerhouses of the world economy.

Regarding bilateral relations, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting traditional friendship and cooperation with African countries.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc and Ambassador of Morocco Jamale Chouaibi and delegates congratulated the African Day 2023 in Hanoi. Photo: Anh Son

Moroccan Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi stressed that relations between Africa and Vietnam took shape during their struggles for national liberation and safeguarding.

He said that Vietnam is ready to enhance partnerships with African countries in economy, trade, and investment, among others and act as a bridge connecting the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN ) .

He supporting on African countries to continue Vietnam's legitimate concerns and interests, backing each other at proposed forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Morocco Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi, representing the group of African Ambassadors to Vietnam, said that Africa is "a land of opportunity." Africa has 60% of the world's untapped arable land, 30% of the world's mineral reserves, 10% of the world's natural gas, and an average annual growth rate of over 4.3%.

Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi said that it is time to change the stereotype that the African market is riskier than other markets, further enhancing the potential for intra-regional and intercontinental cooperation.

He emphasized that the relationship between Africa and Vietnam is a historical relationship formed during the struggle for national liberation and defense of each country.

The Ambassador of Morocco was pleased to see that the relationship between Vietnam and African countries has been continuously improved, especially in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, banking, and digital transformation.

Participants in a group photo. Photo: WVR

The celebration was attended by representatives of the embassies of many African countries. Photo: WVR

Vietnam is one of Africa's important trading partners with a trade turnover of more than US$7 billion in 2022, a development model for many African countries.

Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama, head of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi, who has been with Vietnam for many years, appreciated the relationship between Vietnam and African countries.

Saadi Salama said that their connections have been growing in multiple fields, including politics, trade, investment, agriculture, health care, peace building, and sharing of economic reform experience.

The Ambassador believes that the traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and African countries will be promoted for the benefit of Africa and Vietnam.

At the event, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc together with Ambassadors, representatives of ministries, departments, and branches of Vietnam visited the space of African Embassies with typical cultural features. They enjoy the traditional cuisine of African countries.

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