Opening of the Pacific Friends Program 2025 in Quang Tri

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the evening of September 9, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province coordinated with the US Embassy in Vietnam to organize the opening ceremony of the Pacific Friends Program 2025 in Quang Tri.

Standing Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee delivered the opening speech of the Pacific Friends Program 2025

In his opening speech, Mr. Hoang Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, said: "The year 2025 has a special significance in the history of Vietnam - US relations, when the two countries celebrate 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations. Quang Tri - the land that was once the fiercest fire line, a symbol of division and loss - today becomes the place to implement the Pacific Friends Program 2025. This event is not simply an annual international cooperation activity, but also a strong message: From the painful past, we together cultivate peace; from common challenges, we together cooperate for development".

"We believe that the Pacific Friends Program 2025 will not only stop at specific activities and tangible projects, but also inspire trust and open up new, more sustainable and deeper cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and the United States, between Quang Tri and international friends for peace , cooperation and sustainable development," the Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee emphasized.

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper affirmed: "Pacific Friends is a bilateral humanitarian and civil cooperation program, inheriting the valuable legacy of the Pacific Partnership program, which has connected Vietnam and the United States in many localities across Vietnam since 2007.

Over the next two weeks, US military personnel and the people of Quang Tri will coordinate to implement many activities to improve medical capacity, strengthen disaster response capacity and renovate community works in Quang Tri province. The efforts in the program are not only about technical activities but also about cultivating trust, enhancing mutual understanding, ensuring that the Vietnam - US partnership brings practical benefits to the people.

Vietnamese and US delegates at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Friends Program 2025 in Quang Tri

Pacific Friends is a multinational humanitarian assistance and training program initiated by the United States Government after the 2004 tsunami disaster. The program is implemented annually by the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy (USN) in cooperation with governments, military forces, humanitarian and non-governmental organizations in the region. Since 2007, Vietnam has allowed the United States and partner countries to implement 12 programs in the following provinces and cities: Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, Nghe An, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen.

The Pacific Friends Program 2025 in Quang Tri takes place from September 8-20 with 13 activities in 4 main groups: Humanitarian support/disaster relief; Medical activities; construction and repair of community works; cultural and English exchange activities as close bridges between Quang Tri people and international friends.

NA

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khai-mac-chuong-trinh-ban-be-thai-binh-duong-nam-2025-tai-quang-tri-102250910073438144.htm