Overview of the conference. Photo: Hai Trieu

On December 30, in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association held the 2nd national conference, for term 2021-2026.

At the conference, VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga said: "It is necessary to continue to promote strengths, and attract Vietnamese businesses, scholars and overseas Vietnamese who are living, working and studying abroad."

"The Association need to pay special attention to young people participating in the Association's work; and establish the Association's respective partners in Azerbaijan to expand the network of Vietnamese friends."

Anar Imanov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam, suggested that the Association admit young members while promoting economic, scientific-technical relations and business connection. Besides, the Association should expand in the southern region, where many Vietnamese alumni have studied in Azerbaijan.

President Nguyen Phuong Nga said: "Vietnam and Azerbaijan have a history of good traditional friendship.

"The historic visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Baku in 1959 laid the first bricks to form Vietnam's oil and gas industry, with the great contribution and help of Azerbaijani organizations and experts.

"Based on historical tradition, the relationship between Azerbaijan and Vietnam has developed dynamically in recent years.

“Our mission is to continue to contribute to the relationship development between the two countries in all fields, cultivating the friendship between the Vietnamese people and the people of Azerbaijan, and between Vietnamese localities and Azerbaijani localities."

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga commented on the Association's activities for the term 2021-2026. Photo: Hai Trieu

According to the report, in the last term, the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association has basically completed its set tasks.

The Association has performed its role as a bridge, contributing to promoting economic, political and cultural relations, strengthening the traditional friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Azerbaijan.

Nghiem Vu Khai, president of the Association in the 1st term spoke at the conference. Photo: Hai Trieu

With the spirit of solidarity and mutual love, the Association donated 10,000 masks to the people of Azerbaijan; supported Azerbaijani citizens working in Phu Quoc, who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and supported an Azerbaijani youth to have blood cancer treatment in Vietnam.

The conference elected the Executive Committee consisting of 17 members, including 11 members of the Standing Committee.

The Inspection Committee consists of three members.

Deputy Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam Dang The Vinh was elected President of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association (VAFA) for 2021-2026.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association for the term 2021-2026. Photo: Hai Trieu

The delegates also agreed to honor Nghiem Vu Khai, president of the Association for the first term as Honorary President of the Association for the term 2021-2026.

Dang The Vinh, deputy auditor general of the State Audit Office, president of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association, term II, and Anar Imanov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam give flowers and gifts to Nghiem Vu Khai. Photo: Hai Trieu

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Association for the term of 2021-2026, Dang The Vinh hopes to continue receiving the attention and guidance of the VUFO and related ministries, departments and agencies to further develop the Association's activities.

The Committee will continue to improve the quality of the Association's activities in various fields, promoting friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and people-to-people diplomacy.

Dang The Vinh, deputy auditor general of the State Audit Office, president of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association, term II delivered his inauguration speech. Photo: Hai Trieu

In the next five years, the Association will continue consolidating the apparatus, coordinating with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Vietnam to hold the two countries’ major events such as Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), Azerbaijan’s Independence Day (May 28), and the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (September 1992-2022).

The Association continues to advocate and support external communication, exchange and promotion activities about the country, people and culture of Vietnam and Azerbaijan.

It will also organize exchange activities between the two countries, between the Association and potential partners in Azerbaijan to introduce the Association's principles and purposes, expand its partner network and scope of activities.

At the conference, the VUFO President also suggested three contents that the Association should focus on in the 2021-2026 term.

Firstly, the Assocition should focus on placing the Association's work in the overall people-to-people diplomacy and foreign affairs, thereby enhancing coordination with the departments, ministries, member organizations of the VUFO, especially with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam, to contribute to the promotion of all aspects between the two countries.

Secondly, the Association continues to promote its strengths, attract Vietnamese businesses, scholars and overseas Vietnamese who are living, working and studying abroad; pay special attention to young people participating in the Association's work; establish the Association's respective partners in Azerbaijan to expand the network of Vietnamese friends.

Third, the Association continues to innovate and expand its activities, especially the application of information technology to digital transformation.

The Covid-19 pandemic is a great challenge, but also an opportunity to drastically transform, change approaches, and further diversify activities and connections.

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga believes that the Association will continue to make greater achievements, making practical contributions to promoting traditional friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Azerbaijan. At the same time, the VUFO will continue to accompany and support the Association's activities in the coming time.

Anar Imanov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam delivered a congratulatory speech to the conference. Photo: Hai Trieu

The Vietnam-Azerbaijan Friendship Association received a certificate of merit from the VUFO Presidium. Photo: Hai Trieu

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga presents a medal to Nghiem Vu Khai, president of the Association for the first term. Photo: Hai Trieu.

Individuals receive certificates of merit from the VUFO Presidium. Photo: Hai Trieu

Photo: Hai Trieu

Photo: Hai Trieu

Photo: Hai Trieu

Anar Imanov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam appreciated the Association's friendship and cooperation with the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam, contributing to the relationship between the two countries. The Embassy affirmed that it would continue to give its best support to the Association's activities.

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