The 4th congress of the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association takes place on October 27, at the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) headquarters in Hanoi. Photo: Tuan Viet

The Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) on Oct. 27 held the fourth National Congress of Delegates for the 2021-2026 term in a ceremony in Hanoi via both in-person and online formats.

The congress featured the participation of by Denny Abdi, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, leaders of the Voice of the Vietnam (VOV) and VUFO, and representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and those of Vietnamese organizations, individuals and businesses having relations with Indonesia.

During the course of the event, delegates discussed and approved a review of the Association’s activities over the past 5 years, while outlining orientations for the 2021-2026 term. It also elected the Central Committee, the Standing Committee, the Inspection Committee and other key leadership positions.

Speaking at the congress, Nguyen Dang Quang, vice chairman of the friendship association said that the friendship between Vietnam and Indonesia was established by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno as well as many previous generations. The hard work of the two leaders has laid a solid foundation and is a strong driving force for promoting and developing the two countries' relations in all fields of politics, economy, culture, society and people-to-people exchanges.

The traditional and close relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia and their peoples has been continuously consolidated and strongly developed. During the official state visit to Indonesia by President Truong Tan Sang in June 2013, the leaders of the two countries decided to officially upgrade the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia to strategic partnership. Vietnam becomes Indonesia's only strategic partner in the region.

The importance of people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Indonesia has been demonstrated by the Joint Statement dated June 28, 2013. On the occasion of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to Indonesia in August 2017, the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association and the Indonesia - Vietnam Friendship Association had signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two association for the 2017 - 2022 period.

The 4th congress is held via both in-person and online formats. Photo: Tuan Viet

According to the report at the congress, in the last term, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, people-to-people diplomacy activities and those of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association have changed in a suitable, proactive, flexible, creative, and effective manner, combining both traditional methods with specific methods in the new normal. The association has actively contributed to strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation, and expanding exchanges within the new framework of the strategic partnership.

It, cooperated with the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam as well as the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, has promoted its role as a bridge, connecting the two countries' partners as a means of stepping up cooperation, taking advantage of resources for socio-economic development, and protecting national interests.

The association also regularly sent greetings and greetings to the people of Indonesia on important events; organizing visits, sharing and mobilizing the Vietnamese people to support the Indonesian people when facing natural disasters, storms, floods, calamities.

In the direction of operation for the term 2021-2026, the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association has determined a practical action plan for the coming time focusing on six contents. Specifically:

First, innovating the content and mode of operation in the context of the new situation to continue to improve the efficiency, practicality and depth of the friendship and cooperation relationship with the Indonesian people, contributing to strengthening and promoting the strong development of relations, maintaining a peaceful and stable region.

Secondly, actively deploying and coordinating with the Indonesian association in continuing to promote the implementation of the contents and action programs for the 2017 - 2022 period according to the MoU un the basis of the actual situation and conditions permit. Preparing for the next stage of cooperation in response to Covid-19, together with ASEAN to overcome the pandemic.

Third, stepping up and continuing to promote role as a bridge between the two countries' partners, especially in economic, trade and tourism cooperation, to soon achieve the goal of USD 10 billion in two-way trade; and increase the possibility of mutual investment, resumption and development of tourism after the pandemic. On the one hand, make the most of external resources to enhance economic development, and at the same time, meet the needs of economic recovery.

Fourth, strengthening contact and coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam and Indonesian partners in organizing and conducting seminars, exchange talks in various fields to provide market information and strengthen partnerships, understand each other's needs, and promote cooperation potentials. Encouraging and promoting exchange channels between Vietnamese cities and provinces that have twin ties with Indonesian localities.

Fifth, coordinating with Vietnamese and Indonesian agencies and organizations, the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia to organize a series of activities on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025 and other important events.

Sixth, actively participating in campaigning and fighting to protect national sovereignty and interests related to the East Sea issue. Strengthening information work on the situation, clarifying Vietnam's stance and policies.

The congress elected Tran Minh Hung, VOV vice president as the President of the Association for the 2021-2026 term. Photo: Tuan Viet

The newly-elected Executive Committee. Photo: Tuan Viet

The congress elected 35 members of the Executive Committee, three members of the Inspection Committee. Tran Minh Hung, VOV vice president was elected as the president of the association for the 2021-2026 term.

Applauding the efforts of the association in tightening the friendship between Vietnam and Indonesia, Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi, expressed his respect and appreciation for the association's dedication and contributions in maintaining and developing the good relations between Indonesia and Vietnam.

The ambassador believes that the fourth congress of the association can bring the relations between Indonesia and Vietnam to a new level. He hoped that the friendship associations in both countries could continue to cooperate and innovate in organizing creative activities in the context of the current new normal.

"I believe that, under the new leadership of the association as well as the full support from us, the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi, the Indonesian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Association, the bilateral friendship and partnership will further develop towards the common interests and prosperity of the two countries," the diplomat shared.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Denny Abdi, speaks at the congress. Photo: Tuan Viet

Congratulating the congress, Phan Anh Son, VUFO vice president and general secretary, highly appreciated the association's efforts in coordinating with agencies, departments and branches of the two countries in deploying and organizing a variety of activities, in order to enhance understanding, history and culture between the two peoples.

Son emphasized that the world is experiencing complicated changes, in that context, Vietnam and Indonesia will need to make more important contributions in building a united, self-reliant and prosperous ASEAN Community.The two countries also need to continue to promote, build and develop a strategic cooperative relationship that goes deeper and more effectively. To achieve these goals, cooperation of the people's organizations of the two countries, is extremely important, he added.

VUFO leaders highly appreciate the contributions of the association and agree with the direction and tasks that it has set for the next term, Son affirmed.

He believes that, under the leadership of the Executive Committee, the association will continue to achieve new and greater achievements, making practical contributions to promoting the strategic partnership and traditional brotherhood between the peoples of Vietnam and Indonesia. VUFO will continue to innovate more strongly to most effectively accompany and support the association's activities in the coming time.

At the congress, the Presidium of VUFO awards the medal "For peace and friendship among nations" and certificates of merit to individuals with outstanding achievements of the Association.

The Presidium of VUFO took the occasion to award the medal "For peace and friendship among nations" and certificates of merit to individuals with outstanding achievements.

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