The transformation of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation

The Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation has just successfully held its 5th Congress for the 2025-2030 term, marking a turning point for the organization with the agreement to change its name to the Vietnam Peace and Development Council to expand its membership, diversify its topics and be more flexible in its approach to meet new mission requirements.

The congress was held on August 16 in Hanoi with the participation of Mr. Le Thanh Long, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Phan Anh Son, Party Secretary, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), VUFO leaders through the periods, representatives of ministries, branches, and domestic and foreign partner organizations.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long (6th from left) presents flowers to congratulate the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council. (Source: VUFO)

In her message to the Congress, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, Honorary President of the Fund, reviewed the journey over the past 22 years.

She said that, together with many dedicated comrades in the fields of foreign affairs, economics and society, she campaigned to establish the Fund to contribute to the cause of peace and national development.

From the initial difficult steps, the Fund has consolidated and developed, becoming an important force in people's diplomacy, contributing to areas such as sustainable agricultural development, education reform, and protection of national sovereignty and interests.

Evaluating the 2019-2025 term, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh affirmed that the Fund has excellently completed its tasks, successfully organized many practical and diverse people-to-people diplomacy activities and conducted in-depth research.

The Fund has been awarded the First Class Labor Medal by the State, along with many awards from the Central External Relations Commission, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and VUFO. She expressed her deep gratitude to the leaders of the Party, the State, VUFO, members, businesses, international and domestic partners who have accompanied and supported the Fund.

Looking forward to the 2025-2030 term, the former Vice President expressed her belief that the new Executive Committee will uphold tradition, consolidate a strong collective, and contribute more to people-to-people diplomacy, for a peaceful, friendly, prosperous Vietnam and a fair, humane world. She wished the Congress great success and wished the delegates good health and happiness.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son awarded certificates of merit to individuals and groups that have made positive contributions to people-to-people diplomacy. (Source: VUFO)

At the Congress, Secretary General of the Fund Dong Huy Cuong read the Summary Report of activities for the 2019-2025 term, accordingly, overcoming difficulties from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fund has effectively implemented the action programs and resolutions set forth by the Fund's 4th Congress.

Regarding foreign affairs activities, the Fund has organized delegations to visit and work in Belgium and the Philippines, participate in regional and global multilateral people's forums, international forums, and fulfill the role of a member of the organizing committee of the ASEAN People's Forum and the Asia-Europe People's Forum.

During its term, the Fund carried out 32 foreign affairs activities, including 13 delegations, receiving 13 international delegations, 2 international seminars and signing 4 cooperation agreements.

Regarding organizational development, the Fund Council increased from 35 to 39 members (13 Standing Committee, 10 Secretariat), signed agreements with Hanoi Law University and Rosa Luxemburg Foundation... to increase resources for the Fund's professional activities.

However, there are still limitations such as not fully mobilizing the number of members, research products are not diverse, funding is limited and the permanent secretary staff is still thin and holding multiple positions.

The Fund's orientation for the 2025-2030 term focuses on the areas of promoting regional peace and security; participating in sustainable development (SDGs); protecting national interests at the United Nations/ASEAN forum; expanding bilateral/multilateral partnerships; enhancing foreign research and information.

In addition, improve the quality of research and advisory work, promote criticism and recommendations to Vietnam's research and policy-making agencies related to the fields of peace, development and law.

In particular, strengthen coordination with relevant agencies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministries, branches, organizations operating in the fields of law, economics, science and technology, engineering, etc.) to promote cooperation, share information, coordinate activities on issues related to national sustainable development, improve quality and increase resources for foreign information and propaganda work; build, consolidate and develop the organization; expand the network of members and partners of the Fund at home and abroad.

The Fund continues to innovate the content and methods of implementing people-to-people diplomacy; actively implement the Resolutions of the 13th and 14th National Congresses of the Party on foreign affairs policies and guidelines, closely coordinate with Party foreign affairs and state diplomacy in implementing foreign affairs tasks.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council was launched. (Source: VUFO)

At the 5th Congress for the 2025-2030 term, delegates agreed to change the Fund's name to the Vietnam Peace and Development Council and change its operating method towards expansion.

The Congress elected the Executive Committee for the 5th term, consisting of 35 members (with 12 new members), of which 12 were elected to the Standing Committee. Mr. Ha Hung Cuong was elected as Chairman of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council for the 2025-2030 term.

The Congress unanimously agreed to change the name of the Vietnam Peace and Development Fund to the Vietnam Peace and Development Council; honored Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, former Vice President, first President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Fund, as Honorary President of the Council; and passed the Resolution of the Congress to give opinions on conferring the title of Hero of Labor on Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh.

The Congress also elected the Executive Committee (35 members), the Standing Committee (12 members)... and the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council for the 2025 - 2030 term.

Mr. Ha Hung Cuong, former Minister of Justice, was elected Chairman of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council for the 2025-2030 term.

Speaking at the Congress, Party Central Committee member and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long said that this is an important political event, continuing to affirm the maturity, development and role of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council in implementing bilateral and multilateral people-to-people diplomacy activities, actively contributing to the cause of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress, for the equitable and sustainable development of Vietnam and the world.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long delivered a speech at the Congress. (Source: VUFO)

According to Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, the great results that the Council has achieved in recent times have significantly contributed to enhancing understanding and friendship, and expanding Vietnam's network of international friends and people-to-people partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that in the new era, especially the fourth industrial revolution which has a profound impact on all aspects of social life, Vietnam has opportunities and advantages but also faces many difficulties and challenges.

In that context, in addition to promoting the strength of great national unity of Vietnam, the sympathy, support, solidarity, assistance and cooperation of international friends, partners and people of countries around the world are very important, contributing to the cause of rapid and sustainable development of the country.

Accordingly, with the increasing demands in the coming period, the renaming of the Vietnam Peace and Development Fund to the Vietnam Peace and Development Council has received strong welcome and support. This will create a direction to transform the Council's operating method towards openness in terms of participants, diversity in topics and flexibility in approach, in order to meet the requirements of the tasks in the new period.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long suggested that VUFO, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, sectors and organizations continue to pay attention to, support and create more favorable conditions for the Vietnam Peace and Development Council to carry out its assigned tasks, making practical contributions to the cause of people's diplomacy, for the goals of peace, national independence, democracy, social progress and sustainable development of the country.

Delegates attending the event took a souvenir photo. (Source: VUFO)

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Peace and Development Council, Chairman Ha Hung Cuong pledged to continue promoting the spirit of solidarity, dedication, and efforts, upholding the precious tradition of construction and development, inheriting achievements, and overcoming limitations to successfully implement the goals and tasks set out by the Congress.

On this occasion, VUFO and the Vietnam Peace and Development Council awarded certificates of merit to individuals and groups with positive contributions to people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to the effective implementation of work goals for the 2016-2025 period.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/buoc-chuyen-minh-cua-quy-hoa-binh-va-phat-trien-viet-nam-324784.html