At the Conference, VUFO President Phan Anh Son said that the system's four breakthroughs in 2024 included improving work efficiency; innovating in implementing foreign affairs activities; improving benefits for officials, civil servants, and workers; and developing requirements for full-time people-to-people foreign affairs staff.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son spoke at the Conference. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Regarding missions in 2024, he said VUFO would modernize towards strong digital transformation; build a "map of people's movements and social movements worldwide"; innovate the operating methods of member associations at the central and local levels; succeed in organizing the National People-to-people Diplomacy Conference, the 7th National Congress for the 2024-2029 term and the 5th International Conference on Cooperation between Vietnam and Foreign non-governmental organizations; and continue to well carry out staff training.

Also in 2024, VUFO will inaugurate a memorial house in Diem Mac commune, Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province to celebrate the 7th National Congress.

Innovation in many important fields

At the Conference, VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung presented a report summarizing VUFO's work in 2023. According to the report, in 2023, the global economy declined, while the world situation moved towards multi-polarity, multi-center and multi-level. Competition and conflict lead to unpredictable consequences that have a strong impact on people-to-people foreign affairs in Vietnam. In that background, the VUFO system has made a big change in many aspects, namely well building its system and personnel, and increasing its positive contributions to building a comprehensive and modern diplomacy through its quality activities, research, and advisory. The role, position, and prestige of people-to-people diplomacy and VUFO are increasingly consolidated, recognized, and highly appreciated by Party and State leaders, and trusted by friends and partners.

VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung presented a report summarizing VUFO's work in 2023 and priorities in 2024. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

VUFO has achieved several outstanding accomplishments. Namely, VUFO actively and proactively participates in high-level foreign affairs activities of the Party and State, and innovates and improves the effectiveness of bilateral and multilateral people-to-people diplomacy activities.

VUFO has proactively increased connections and support for foreign non-governmental organizations, deepening the relationship between VUFO's standing agency and organizations; supports ministries and localities in foreign non-governmental work through promoting information exchange, connection, and support for localities, ministries, and units.

In external information, VUFO has innovated the content and images of its website and fanpage to be more updated, applying new communication technologies such as infographics, e-magazines, and new technology to reach readers. It set up an account and test operation on X (Twitter). VUFO's media products have seen positive innovations in content and form, well implementing the motto "accurate, timely, vivid, suitable for each group of audiences."

The quality of advisory and research work continues to be improved, reflected in organizing consultation and building a VUFO development strategy until 2030; launching a State-level research project on the functions and tasks of VUFO; continuing to maintain many forms of academic activities (discussions, thematic reports, research, etc); participating in quality contributions to important orientations, strategies, and policies related to foreign affairs; and developing reports to advise on resolving difficulties and obstacles in cooperative relations between Vietnam and other countries.

In building and developing its system, VUFO continues to organize working delegations to localities to promote people-to-people diplomacy activities in general and VUFO's activities with localities in particular. During 2023, 15 local unions and 5 central member organizations hold congresses. Many new local friendship associations were established. In addition, VUFO also issued and amended 4 working regulations; strengthened the organizational structure of permanent agencies; and improved staff capacity through information-sharing sessions, discussions, periodic seminars, reports, and training.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son awarded the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to the Multilateral Affairs Deparment. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

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