Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Phan Kieu Thu and President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena. (Source: Colombopage.com)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Phan KieuThu was elected the 7th Secretary General of the Colombo Plan on December 12.
The Colombo Plan for CooperativeEconomic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific was initiated by the UK at the CommonwealthConference on Foreign Affairs in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in January1950 and was launched on July 1, 1951 as a cooperativeventure for economic and social advancement of the peoples of South andSoutheast Asia.
The Colombo Plan aims to help its member countries promote socio-economicdevelopment, poverty reduction, environmental protection and gender equality.
With 27 official members, the plan is a forum for discussing development needs,sharing experience, implementing programmes for stronger socio-economic developmentand supporting less developed countries in the region.
Colombo Plan mainly operates through organising training courses, helping itsmember nations develop human resources. It now runs four training programmesincluding the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), the Programme for Public Administration& Environment (PPA & ENV), the Programme for Private Sector Development(PPSD) and the Long-Term Scholarships Programme (LTSP).
Since its officialmembership of the organisation in 2003, Vietnam has sent nearly 400 officials toattend training courses within the Colombo Plan’s cooperation programmes, inthe fields of drug prevention, public administration, reproductive health, andenvironmental protection.-VNA
Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has announced that all 10 ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to participate in the Australia's New Colombo Plan from 2015, which encourages Australian students to study at universities in Southeast Asia.
External partners put forth measures to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in various fields during the ASEAN+1 Summits with the Republic of Korea (RoK), Australia and the UN, ASEAN+3 Summit, in Laos.
As many as 340 Australian undergraduates will take short-term courses and internship programmes in Vietnam in 2017 as part of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Programme.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Phan Kieu Thu and President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena. (Source: Colombopage.com) 
