Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú (centre) attends the plenary session on Party diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, within the 33rd Diplomatic Conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — Party and people-to-people diplomacy must be more proactive in consolidating political trust and strengthening international consensus, according to Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú.

Tú made the statement at a plenary session on Party and people-to-people diplomacy held during the 33rd Diplomatic Conference on Wednesday in Hà Nội.

The session was connected online to 34 localities nationwide and Vietnamese representative missions abroad.

It focused on concrete, feasible and effective solutions to further promote the role of Party diplomacy; new and effective approaches for people-to-people diplomacy to serve growth; improving the effectiveness of coordination between Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy; and promoting the role of Vietnamese representative missions abroad in a more active and effective way.

Tú said that throughout Việt Nam’s diplomatic history, the participation and coordination of the three diplomatic pillars have made important contributions to the struggle for national independence and reunification, to national construction and defence, and to maintaining a peaceful environment.

As for Party diplomacy, breakthroughs in broadening and deepening relations have confirmed the Party's important role in consolidating political foundations and in guiding State-level relations with other countries.

People-to-people diplomacy has seen positive changes in mindset, content and mode of operation. The network of partners has continued to expand, while participation in regional and international mechanisms has become more proactive and substantive.

External information work to promote the image of Việt Nam and its people have achieved good results, helping to create a more favourable international environment for national construction.

“These results have been achieved thanks to the correct, wise, consistent and regular leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat and Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm; the proactive and flexible management of the State; and the active involvement by all levels, sectors and localities,” he said.

On behalf of the Politburo and the Secretariat, Tú expressed appreciation for and commended the important contributions of the diplomatic staff and the entire sector.

Harnessing strength

After broadly agreeing with the orientations and solutions set out in the report and opinions expressed at the conference, Tú further emphasised several points.

He said there must be further changes in mindset and awareness regarding Party and people-to-people diplomacy, with the overarching goal being the rapid and sustainable development of the country.

At the same time, they must actively promote connectivity, especially with current priority partners in workforce training, innovation and digital transformation.

Awareness on the position and role of Party and people-to-people diplomacy must also be raised, as well as of the importance of the requirement for coordinated implementation of the three diplomatic pillars: Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy.

“Each pillar has its own role and mission, targets different audiences, uses various forms and is carried out across different fields and localities, but all of them aim towards a common goal: to harness overall strength and effectively realise the country’s diplomatic objectives, while ensuring the Party’s comprehensive leadership, the State’s unified management, and close and timely coordination among central and local agencies, ministries and sectors,” Tú said.

He underlined the importance of continually raising the standing of Party diplomacy; focusing on consolidating and deepening relations with political parties, especially ruling parties in neighbouring countries, parties with influence and standing in major countries, and countries with which Việt Nam has established relationship frameworks.

The leader also emphasised the need to improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy, shifting from friendly exchanges and advocacy towards aligning interests and creating sustainable cooperation space to harness the overall strength of the entire political system, citizens and organisations.

The role of localities, enterprises, citizens and the Vietnamese community abroad should be promoted, according to Tú.

He also mentioned the need to continue building a truly clean and strong Party organisation within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Importance should be attached to building a diplomatic workforce with the skills, capabilities and prestige to meet the requirements of the new era.

Diplomatic experts should be trained and developed rapidly, with strong political resolve and the nation's and people’s interests as the guiding principle for action. They should also have a sound understanding of key areas and emerging fields, and mechanisms should be created to attract and use talent both inside and outside the sector.

At the session, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung fully took on board Tú's advice to further promote the role of Party diplomacy. He said this way, Party diplomacy would truly become “the political foundation, the overall driver of external relations, and the core force in strategic orientation, policies and external affairs”, adding that people-to-people diplomacy must truly participate in a constructive and connected manner. — VNS