On the morning of December 23, after 5 days of official work, the 32nd Diplomatic Conference with the theme "Promoting the pioneering role, building a comprehensive, modern, and strong diplomacy, successfully implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress" closed.

The 32nd Diplomatic Conference was honored to receive the attention and direct guidance of the Party and State leaders. In particular, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended the Opening Session and delivered a speech giving comprehensive and profound directions on all areas of work of the Diplomatic sector. President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue gave important directions at the Conference and in working sessions with the Heads of Representative Agencies. At the Party building session, Standing member of the Secretariat and Head of the Central Organization Committee Truong Thi Mai attended and delivered a speech at the Conference. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended and delivered a speech at the meeting on building and developing the Diplomatic sector. Many members of the Politburo, members of the Secretariat, members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of departments, ministries, branches, and localities attended and contributed many valuable opinions. With a high sense of responsibility, the 32nd Diplomatic Conference has thoroughly grasped the major contents of the 13th Party Congress' guidelines, important Resolutions, Directives, Conclusions, and Projects on foreign affairs since the beginning of the 13th Congress' term until now.

Delegates attending the Closing Session voted to pass the Conference Resolution. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Through 23 sessions with more than 300 comments, the Conference agreed on an overall assessment of the situation, opportunities and challenges in the foreign affairs environment; directions and measures to implement foreign affairs in the coming time; measures to innovate and improve the effectiveness of the diplomatic sector's operations in a pioneering, comprehensive, modern and professional direction; strengthen coordination between the pillars of Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy, between the diplomatic sector and ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises with the motto of serving national and ethnic interests, serving the Party, the country and the people. Assessing the foreign affairs work in the past time, the Conference stated that in the context of a complicated foreign affairs environment, foreign affairs work has been implemented effectively, synchronously, comprehensively, and achieved many achievements as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed at the opening session of the 32nd Diplomatic Conference: the Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs sector has "achieved many important and historic results and achievements, becoming an impressive highlight among the overall results and achievements of the country". The Conference continued to identify the overarching task of the Diplomatic sector in the coming time as continuing to promote the pioneering role of foreign affairs in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, mobilizing external resources for national development, and enhancing the country's position and prestige. To carry out that overarching task, the Conference stated the focus and priority in the coming time is to promote and deepen relations with other countries; Continue to expand and enhance the network of relations with partners, especially with neighboring countries, major countries, important partners, and traditional friends; continue to enhance multilateral diplomacy, strongly promote the role and position of Vietnam in regional and international organizations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presents Certificates of Merit to units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The conference identified economic diplomacy for development as a fundamental and central task, promoting the spirit of taking people, localities and enterprises as the center of service; constantly innovating and improving the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy and foreign information to strongly promote Vietnam's soft power; implementing great national unity, national harmony, caring for overseas Vietnamese and protecting the rights and interests of citizens; improving the effectiveness of coordination between pillars, channels and foreign affairs agencies to create a combined strength; promoting research, forecasting, consulting and especially attaching importance to Party building and industry building. In his closing speech at the conference, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his gratitude for the attention and close direction of the leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly, the participation of ministries, sectors, localities and the contributions of all delegates to make the 32nd Diplomatic Conference a great success.

Delegates attending the Closing Session of the 32nd Diplomatic Conference take a souvenir photo. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

In the coming time, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the entire diplomatic sector will thoroughly grasp the guiding thoughts and strategic orientations on foreign affairs of the 13th National Congress, the Party's guiding documents on foreign affairs as well as the directions of the Party and State leaders at the Conference; continue to be proactive, flexible, and creative in effectively implementing foreign affairs work. Reiterating the words of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the opening session, Minister Bui Thanh Son requested all officials of the diplomatic sector at home and abroad not to be satisfied with the results achieved but to constantly strive so that the following year's results will always be higher than the previous year. Also at the Closing Ceremony of the 32nd Diplomatic Conference, Minister Bui Thanh Son awarded Ministerial Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in their work.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presents Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Vietnamese representative agencies abroad. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presents Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to individuals. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

source