Hanoi (VNA) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) forum opened in Hanoi on August 17 to mark the 36th founding anniversary of the community.
Jointly held by the Vietnam-Africa Friendship and Cooperation Association (VAFCA) and embassies of the SADC member countries, the event drew the participation of representatives from embassies of other African countries in Vietnam and leaders of the VAFCA.
Speaking at the event, chairman of the VAFCA Le Duong Quang said the 15-member SADC, with a population of nearly 280 million people, has not only created a big market within the bloc, but also contributed to the progress of each individual member country and the whole region in general.
Cooperative relations between Vietnam and SADC have gained remarkable outcomes, but collaboration in the fields of economy, trade and investment, have not met their full potential, Quang added.
Mozambique’s Ambassador to Vietnam Gamiliel Munguambe said the forum offered a good chance to review experiences in trade and investment cooperation between the two sides, hoping that both local and SADC enterprises will find more business opportunities.
Delegates at the event also discussed measures to intensify the partnership between Vietnam and SADC, including continuing to boost information exchanges and seeking support from member countries’ governments, as well as foreign affairs authorities to extricate difficulties and create favourable investment climate for enterprises.
Multilateral relationships and trade among Vietnam and African countries have been bolstered in many♒ areas in recent years. Vietnamese enterprises have effectively cooperated with many of SADC’s members in the areas of oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, minerals and processing industries.-VNA
The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, which holds the Chair of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee (APC), held a conference themed “2014 General Election in South Africa and the country’s post-election situation in sequential years”, in the country’s capital on April 24.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
Image of SADC Member States (Source: uneca.org)
