Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and directed the conference

In 2024, according to the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the world situation continued to change very complicatedly, with many new developments and many new issues beyond forecast, promoting a clear formation of a multipolar, multicentric and multilayered world order characterized by instability, unpredictability and numerous risks. In that context, under the direct and frequent leadership of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Party and State leaders, and the Prime Minister, foreign affairs and diplomacy was deployed proactively, synchronously, creatively, effectively continue to make significant contributions to firmly consolidating a peaceful and stable environment, as well as fostering an open and favorable external landscape for socio-economic development and the protection of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while further enhancing the country’s international standing and prestige. During the year, Party and State leaders conducted 59 diplomatic activities, including 21 visits to foreign countries and participation in multilateral conferences, as well as hosting 25 delegations of foreign leaders visiting Vietnam. Over 170 new cooperation agreements in various fields, particularly in areas where Vietnam has needs and interests, were signed.

Conference to review the Foreign Affairs sector’s work in 2024 and deploy major tasks in 2025

Under the decisive leadership of the Prime Minister, Vietnam’s economic diplomacy and external economic activities have seen strong progress in various fields such as trade, investment, digital transformation, green transition, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and more. These advancements have played a crucial role in helping the country maintain its position among the high-growth countries, standing out as a bright spot in trade and foreign investment attraction amidst global turbulence. In addition, the development of the diplomatic sector has continued to be promoted to match the demands of its mission, focusing on strengthening Party building and fostering a comprehensive, modern, and professional diplomatic workforce. Efforts have been made to preserve and promote the unique identity of Vietnamese diplomacy while building an apparatus that is "streamlined, strong, effective, efficient, and high-performing."

Delegates attending the conference at Son La bridge point

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged and highly praised efforts and significant achievements of the Foreign Affairs sector in 2024. The Prime Minister requested that in 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focus on firmly grasping and accurately forecasting the situation, sensitively detecting new issues and trends, accurately identifying opportunities to always maintain strategic initiative in the face of rapid and complex developments of the situation; Focus on comprehensive, long-term, and in-depth research on foreign affairs to proactively provide advice, update, supplement, and refine foreign policy and orientations. Implement foreign affairs efforts in a synchronized and elevated manner, encompassing Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, as well as bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. This includes political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, external information, affairs related to overseas Vietnamese, and citizen protection. In parallel, prioritize implementing synchronized tasks and measures to build a diplomatic workforce that is absolutely loyal to national interests, trusted for their integrity, steadfast in their principles, strategic in their vision, perceptive of global dynamics, adept in diplomacy, and proficient in professional skills.

Hong Le

Translated by Huyen Vu