Vietnam affirms leadership role in Francophonie community
Vietnam is set to host the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) Executive Committee’s meeting and a parliamentary forum on Francophonie cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change response in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from January 21-24, reinforcing its role in the international arena.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai made the statement at a working session on January 9 with the city People’s Committee over preparations for the events. He highlighted that the meeting will place the spotlight on the Mekong Delta region’s environmental challenges as well as Vietnam’s infrastructure development to enhance its climate change response.
Hai asked Can Tho city to join hands with NA agencies to meticulously prepare for the events while coordinating with the press to raise public awareness of their significance, adding the gathering must embody Vietnam’s cultural identity.
Standing Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee Duong Tan Hien reported comprehensive preparation efforts, including the selection of venues, recruitment of French-speaking volunteers from local universities, design of fact-finding tours, and measures to ensure safety, order, and food safety. Besides, decoration and communications plans have been detailed.
These events, which mark the first major APF activity following the successful 19th Francophonie Summit in Paris, France in October 2024, are expected to contribute to materialising the resolutions and strategies adopted at the summit.
Vietnam’s hosting of these high-level meetings underscores the country’s proactive engagement in multilateral parliamentary diplomacy and its leadership role in the Francophonie community in the Asia – Pacific. It also promotes the NA’s position at regional and international parliamentary cooperation events.
