The Can Tho City’s Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association held the Congress on August 29^th for the term 2018-2023.

The newly-elected Executive Committee at the Congress.

Attending the Congress were Phan Thi Hong Nhung, Chairman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City; representatives of departments, committees, branches, unions, people's committees of the city; leaders of the provincial Friendship Associations and more than 60 delegates representing members of Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association.

Over the past tenure, the Association made effort to carry out many effective activities, contributing to the development of friendly relationship between the two countries in general and the cooperation between Can Tho City and Australia in particular.

Many Australian businesses have invested in Can Tho City, therefore, the activities of the Association have been continuously expanded and developed. The NGO’s activities has been accelerated through the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City's Annual Direct Aid Program (DAP).

In addition, the Association and the provincial Union of Friendship Organizations have set a campaign to implement community support projects such as bridge construction, hygienic latrine construction, water network connection, etc.

Especially, from 2014 to 2016, the Association also carried out the Capacity Building for Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Management Project with the Union funded by ADRA (Australia) with the total cost of USD 72,028.

The Association organized art exchange programs to enhance the friendship of the two countries on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Australia Day; as well as welcoming many Australian delegations, diplomatic missions and businesses to visit the city.

Phan Thi Hong Nhung, Chairwoman of Vietnam Fatherland Front of Can Tho City, said: The relationship between Vietnam and Australia has been expanding in many fields, many Australian’s businesses have been continuing to invest and expand their investments in Vietnam.

The Association should continue to promote the bridging role and persifying the cooperation of the two countries in various fields; research and propose for Can Tho City setting up friendship-city relations with the provinces and cities of Australia; strengthening the cultural exchange and propaganda activities on Vietnam-Australia friendship.

At the congress, delegates were briefed on the plan for the third tenure from 2018 – 2023. The Congress also elected an 9-member executive board with Nguyen Khanh Tung, Director of Can Tho Trade and Investment Promotion Center re-elected to the Chairman of the the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association of Can Tho City./.

Translated by Van Anh