The conference was attended and directly addressed by Ambassador Bui The Giang, former Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations. Participants also included representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong, the City Party Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the City Police, leaders of the Union of Friendship Organizations and the Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Association, as well as numerous officials, association members, overseas Vietnamese relatives, and community representatives.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Van Thu, President of the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized that the global and regional landscape continues to experience rapid, complex, and unpredictable changes. Issues such as strategic competition among major powers, traditional and non-traditional security challenges, climate change, digital transformation, and the global economic slowdown are having profound impacts on all countries, including Vietnam.

In this context, foreign affairs in general and people-to-people diplomacy in particular play an increasingly important role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, expanding international cooperation, and enhancing the country’s position and image. For Hai Phong—a city experiencing strong growth and deep international integration—keeping officials, association members, overseas Vietnamese, and their families informed about current developments related to people-to-people diplomacy is especially important.

Through Ambassador Bui The Giang’s presentation, participants received updates on major domestic and international developments as well as recent foreign affairs activities. The conference helped strengthen political awareness, diplomatic understanding, and a sense of responsibility for external communications among various sectors of society.

The event also served as a practical opportunity to enhance cooperation between the Union of Friendship Organizations and the Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Association. Through these efforts, the city aims to further mobilize, unite, and promote the important role of overseas Vietnamese communities who continue to maintain strong ties with their homeland and contribute to the development of both Vietnam and Hai Phong.