Delivering at the event, FES Secretary General Sabine Fandrych noted that FES was the first German political foundation to establish a presence in Viet Nam in 1990. Just one year later, the organization had already launched ten initial events. By 1995, this number had grown to 25 workshops annually.
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| FES Secretary General Sabine Fandrych speaks at the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Throughout its operations, FES has closely cooperated with central agencies, leading research institutes, and top universities in Viet Nam, implementing various capacity-building programs and policy research projects. Key areas of focus include climate policy and socio-ecological transformation. FES has established a nationwide network, affirming its long-term commitment to Viet Nam’s development.
A milestone was reached in 2011 when FES helped initiate an annual dialogue between the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Communist Party of Viet Nam. These dialogues have provided a platform for exchange, fostering mutual understanding and exploring avenues for cooperation.
According to Franziska Schmidtke, Director of the FES Asia Regional Project on Climate and Energy, FES contributes to building trust and enhancing mutual understanding through various forums. They are factors that are increasingly vital in a world marked by uncertainty and change. These activities, she noted, not only support Viet Nam-Germany relations but also help to deepen broader bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Looking ahead, Schmidtke affirmed that FES would continue its mission of promoting dialogue and human connection, creating opportunities for exchange beyond the bounds of traditional diplomacy.
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| VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung presents the Certificate of Merit from the VUFO Presidium to FES in recognition of its contributions to Viet Nam’s socio-economic development from 1990 to 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
At the ceremony, VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung awarded the Certificate of Merit from VUFO’s Presidium to FES for its positive contributions to Viet Nam’s socio-economic development between 1990 and 2025. He emphasized that VUFO highly values FES’s enduring efforts in fostering policy dialogue, conducting research, and implementing capacity-building programs across key areas such as economic development, social policy, labor rights, and climate change action.
According to him, Viet Nam is steadily working toward its strategic development goals for 2030 and its vision for 2045, with a focus on sustainable growth, climate adaptation, social equity, and innovation. He expressed hope that international partners, including non-governmental organizations such as FES, would continue to accompany Viet Nam on its development journey. VUFO remains committed to supporting FES’s ongoing activities in the country.
| The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is Germany’s oldest political foundation. As a non-governmental and non-profit organization, it operates based on the principles of social democracy. Named after Germany’s first democratically elected president, Friedrich Ebert, the foundation promotes the values of freedom, solidarity, and social justice by strengthening leadership capacities and providing platforms for social dialogue. |
Source: Vietnamtimes
