(VNF) - On the afternoon of December 19^th , in Hanoi, in the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Affairs (COMINGO) held a working session to summarise the foreign non-governmental works in the northern region.

Don Tuan Phong, Member of the National Assembly, COMINGO Deputy Head, Vice President cum General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) chaired the meeting.

At the meeting, delegates heard the foreign NGOs report of 2017 and orientation for the next year.

Overview of the annual meeting on December 19^th in the headquarters of VUFO. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

Accordingly, in 2017, the global economy maintains its growth rate with many potential risks along with changes in aid priorities in many countries in the world due to changes in the political system. This cause difficult for organisations to find funding for their activities. It can be said that the activities of foreighn NGOs in Vietnam in 2017 do not have much change with over 2,000 implemented programs, projects and aid. The value of commitmented aid for Vietnam, estimated at USD 260-280 million.

The majority of foregin NGOs continue to commit to supporting Vietnam and 30 new organisations are registered. Foreign NGOs operate in line with Vietnam's orientations for socio-economic development and strategy for hunger eradication and poverty reduction, along the lines of sectoral and local priorities and development planning, supporting the poverty reduction and development efforts of the Government of Vietnam. Foreign NGOs also contribute positively to improving understanding and expanding the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and international friends.

The management of foreign NGOs continues to be well maintained by the COMINGO and its member, the coordination mechanism with the local authorities and relevant agencies is effective promoted.

Don Tuan Phong, Member of the National Assembly, COMINGO Deputy Head, VUFO Vice President cum General Secretary chairs the meeting. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

Foreign non-govermental aid mobilisation has faced many difficulties recently, but the central and local agencies have actively changed the mode and persified aid sources; actively introduced and mobilised foreign NGOs and donors targeting assistance towards socio-economic development of Vietnam; continued mobilising and promoting the people's relations through foreign NGOs.

Regarding the key tasks in 2018, the COMINGO continued to grasp the Prime Minister's directives on foreign NGOs, which strengthened the inspection and guidance of activities, supervised the management and use of foreign non-govermental aid, ensuring aid effectiveness. At the same time, studying and advising on the amendment of related legal documents to create favorable conditions for foreign NGO operation and their aid in Vietnam to be implemented with simplified and speedy procedures.

In 2018, the COMINGO will review its 20-year work to assess and propose measures to further strengthen the mechanism for the management of foregin NGOs.

Speaking summation of the meeting, Don Tuan Phong , COMINGO Deputy Head, VUFO Vice President cum General Secretary stressed, in the coming time, the foreign non-governmental work included administrative procedures should be streamlined and simplified.

He added that the National Program for the Promotion of Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation Assistance has been operated for the past five years (2013-2017). The new phase of the Program could be extended to 2025 as the opinions of some ministries, branches and localities in order to adapt to the socio-economic development plans of branches and localities.

Representatives exchange, share experience and give proposals at the meeting. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

At the meeting, delegates shared experience and give proposals on the process of drafting the Decree of amending and supplementing Decree No. 12/2012 / ND-CP dated March 1^st, 2012 on registration and management of activities of NGOs in Vietnam./.

Translated by Minh Chau