The congress was attended by Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Ngoc Hung; Ouhaddad Mohamed, Chargé d’Affaires of Algeria to Viet Nam; representatives from ministries, agencies, political and social organizations, research institutes, universities, and members of the Association.
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| Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung (10th from left), and Ouhaddad Mohamed (11th from left), Chargé d’Affaires of Algeria to Viet Nam, congratulate the Executive Committee of the Viet Nam-Algeria Friendship Association for the 2025-2030 term. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Promoting role of bridge to foster comprehensive Viet Nam-Algeria cooperation
According to the report presented at the congress, during the 2025-2030 term, the Association will intensify tourism linkages, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people exchanges; strengthen cooperation between localities and friendship organizations of the two countries; and promote people-to-people diplomacy to serve Viet Nam’s socio-economic development goals by 2030.
The Association will consolidate its organizational structure with dedicated and capable personnel, expand representation from businesses and agencies that promote cooperation with Algeria, maintain and diversify friendship exchange activities, and coordinate with the Algerian Embassy in Viet Nam and the Algeria-Viet Nam Friendship Association to organize economic and trade seminars, roundtables, and events to support businesses and localities in investment promotion.
Communication activities to convey Viet Nam’s policies and guidelines to the Algerian public, connect the Vietnamese community in Algeria, and encourage overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the homeland will also be key priorities.
The congress elected a 20-member Executive Committee and a 3-member Supervisory Board for the 2025-2030 term. Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van was elected President of the Association.
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| Nguyen Tuong Van, President of the Viet Nam- Algeria Friendship Association for the 2025-2030 term, spoke at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
In his inaugural address, Nguyen Tuong Van noted that although Viet Nam and Algeria are geographically distant, they share many historical similarities and have been bound by a longstanding traditional friendship since the years of the struggle for independence. The two countries have always supported each other both in wartime and in the cause of national construction and development. He affirmed: “We are proud of this special historical relationship and share the responsibility to nurture and preserve it for future generations.”
Nguyen Tuong Van stated that the new Executive Committee will continue to innovate and organize diverse activities that make practical contributions to the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges, cooperation between localities, and linking people-to-people diplomacy with economic, tourism, and investment cooperation. He expressed his hope for guidance from the Party and State leaders, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organization, and coordination from relevant agencies and organizations, and active participation from members.
Speaking at the event, Ouhaddad Mohamed, Chargé d’Affaires of Algeria to Viet Nam, extended his congratulations to the newly elected Executive Committee and expressed confidence that the Association will continue to be an important bridge fostering friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
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| Ouhaddad Mohamed, Chargé d'Affaires of Algeria to Viet Nam, speaking at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Extending his congratulations to the Congress, Chargé d’Affaires of Algeria to Viet Nam Ouhaddad Mohamed expressed his gratitude to Le Quang Hung, former Deputy Minister of Construction and former President of the Association, for his significant contributions during the previous term. He commended efforts to promote the signing of the twinning agreement between Batna Province (Algeria) and Dien Bien Province (Viet Nam), as well as support for staging the play "The Man in Rubber Sandals" on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, helping to promote the image of friendship between the two countries.
Ouhaddad Mohamed congratulated new President Nguyen Tuong Van, praising his dedication, extensive knowledge, and open spirit of dialogue, considering these important factors in fostering friendly, balanced, and effective cooperation. Regarding the Batna-Dien Bien cooperation project, he noted that the implementation roadmap has clearly identified priority areas, action plans, coordination and monitoring mechanisms; he expressed hope that the Association would continue to work with the Algerian Embassy to expand similar cooperation models.
Five key tasks for the 2025-2030 term
Delivering his directive speech at the Congress, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung stated that in a complex global context, Viet Nam-Algeria relations remain a vivid example of pure internationalism and enduring friendship, forged in the early days of independence. Despite geographical distance, the two countries share many historical similarities, having both been under colonial rule, and have always shown each other deep sympathy and wholehearted support. This relationship has been nurtured and maintained through visits, delegation exchanges, coordination in international forums, numerous bilateral agreements, 12 sessions of the Intergovernmental Committee, and various people-to-people cooperation mechanisms, laying a solid foundation for multifaceted cooperation.
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| Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung delivered a speech at the Congress. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
He also pointed out that economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Algeria has yet to match their potential, leaving significant room for growth. Regarding the direction for the next term, he outlined five key priorities:
First, the Association should promote its role as a bridge to advance economic-trade-investment cooperation, develop specific action plans linking peace and friendship activities with tangible benefits, and support small and medium-sized enterprises in connecting with Algeria’s priority sectors such as high-tech agriculture, agricultural and aquatic product processing, construction, and consumer goods manufacturing.
Second, renewing the content and methods of its activities, diversifying formats, maintaining traditions of peace, solidarity, and friendship, while promoting cooperation in science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, agricultural technology, and human resource training.
Third, developing the Association into a professional and efficient organization, attracting businesses and personnel with cooperation advantages, and consolidating the Executive Committee to enhance connectivity.
Fourth, strengthening coordination with partners, particularly the Algeria-Viet Nam Friendship Association, maintain regular exchanges, including online ones, connect the Vietnamese community in Algeria with the homeland, and encourage overseas compatriots to participate in cultural and economic cooperation.
Fifth, enhancing digital communication capacity, organizing seminars and workshops on economic, scientific, and digital transformation cooperation, and publishing and archiving materials on the history and people-to-people relations of the two countries for long-term use.
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| Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung presented Certificates of Merit from the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to two collectives. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Nguyen Ngoc Hung expressed his confidence that with determination and favorable conditions, the Association will experience strong growth during the 2025-2030 term, making practical contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He affirmed that the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations will always accompany and support the Association in successfully achieving the goals set by the Congress.
On this occasion, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations presented Certificates of Merit to two collectives and six individuals for their active contributions to people-to-people diplomacy during the 2016-2025 period.
| Outstanding activities of the Viet Nam-Algeria Friendship Association in 2016-2025 According to information presented at the Congress, from 2016 to 2025, the Viet Nam-Algeria Friendship Association implemented many practical activities to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. The Association coordinated the organization of solemn celebrations for the 55th anniversary (2017) and the 60th anniversary (2022) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Algeria, combining film screenings, photo exhibitions, and cultural-artistic activities, attracting the participation of leaders from various departments, ministries, and agencies, diplomatic missions, and a large number of international friends. The Association maintained exchanges, greetings, and messages of congratulations or condolences on major occasions of both countries; it also actively provided advice and information on external affairs, countered false narratives, and promoted the image of Viet Nam to Algerian friends. Many exchange and connection activities were maintained, including visits and working trips to Dien Bien Province, paving the way for a twinning relationship with Batna Province of Algeria, as well as high-level meetings between the two countries on the occasion of reciprocal visits. The Association actively engaged in external advocacy, such as raising nearly 200 million VND to support the Algerian people in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, and sponsoring the production and performance of the play "The Man in Rubber Sandals" to mark the 60th anniversary of Viet Nam-Algeria diplomatic relations. It also honored and rewarded individuals who made contributions to the friendship between Viet Nam and Algeria. |
Source: Vietnamtimes
