HÀ NỘI — Ambassador Nguyễn Nguyệt Nga asked Vietnamese diplomats to adapt to challenges and opportunities during the digital era at the 14th annual conference of deans and directors of ASEAN+3 diplomatic training institutes held in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Ambassador Nga, who is also vice chairwoman of the APEC Vision Group and vice chairwoman of the Việt Nam National Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation, suggested that Việt Nam should devise a specific strategy to train diplomats.

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

According to her, foreign ministries worldwide are discussing policies on the formation of digital diplomacy, the use of the internet and new technologies to fulfil their assigned tasks.

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

As Việt Nam will assume the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure, she said diplomats must be aware that international co-operation demand during 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 Vietnamese diplomats a chance to learn about how to respond to crises, uncertainties and incidents in the digital era, she said. — VNS