Hanoi (VNA) – Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga askedVietnamese diplomats to adapt to challenges and opportunities during the digitalera at the 14th annual conference of deans and directors of ASEAN+3 diplomatictraining institutes held in Hanoi on October 23.

Ambassador Nga, who is also Vice Chairwoman of the APECVision Group and Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Committee for PacificEconomic Cooperation, suggested that Vietnam should devise a specific strategyto train diplomats.

She added that curricula on diplomacy and external relationsshould adopt new approaches, including updating digital technology andequipment, and offering flexible and detailed contents.

According to her, foreign ministries worldwide are discussingpolicies on the formation of digital diplomacy, the use of Internet and newtechnologies to fulfill their assigned tasks.

However, she also urged diplomats to cope with negativeimpact of digital technology.

As Vietnam will assume the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021tenure, she said diplomats must be aware that international cooperation demandduring the digital era is different from that in the past, including security,socio-economic affairs, sustainable and inclusive development.

With the participation of international experts, professors,lecturers from the UK, Australia and ASEAN, the event will afford Vietnamesediplomats a chance to learn about how to respond to crisis, uncertainties andincidents during the digital era, she said./.