The Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association (VPFA) held its fourth National Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure in Hanoi on September 25.
During the 2013-2020 tenure, the VPFA coordinated with the Polish Embassy in Vietnam to hold 15 or so events each year, such as celebrations for the Constitution Day of Poland (May 3), National Independence Day of Poland (November 11), gatherings with ambassadors and staff from the Polish Embassy before and after Vietnam’s traditional New Year festival, and friendship exchanges with visiting Polish officials.
The Association also sent three delegations to visit Poland in 2013, 2016 and 2019. During the past term, the Association has welcomed many delegations from Poland at the invitation of the Association and a number of Vietnamese universities.
In particular, in 2017, the VPFA organized a meeting to welcome Polish President Andrzej Duda, his spouse and high-ranking delegation during an ongoing State visit to Vietnam with more than 200 delegates representing thousands of Vietnamese alumni. At the meeting, the President of Poland highly appreciated the activities of the Association and presented Poland’s national flag to the VPFA, acknowledging the Association's contributions to the cause of strengthening friendship and developing cooperation between Polish and Vietnamese.
A number of Vietnamese individuals also were honoured with Poland’s decorations for their outstanding contribution to the Vietnam – Poland friendship and cultural exchanges.
Amid COVID-19, in order to show solidarity with the Polish people when the European country lacked medical supplies in the early days of the epidemic, many groups and individuals have sent financial support to the Polish Ministry of Health.
The VPFA have handed over medical equipment to a number of social and medical organizations in Poland via the Polish Embassy in Vietnam.
At the ceremony, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Wojciech Gerwel highlighted the significance of the gifts with the sincere words "Hard times will always reveal true friends".
Former Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao was elected as Chairman of the Vietnam – Poland Friendship Association for the 2020-2025 tenure.
The Congress also elected its executive board with 62 members.
Expressing his gratitude to being elected as VPFA Chairman for the fourth tenure, Thao said that this is a great honor and a great responsibility that the Congress has entrusted to him.
In economic, trade, investment, culture, education, and science-technology, the VPFA will actively serve as a bridge to provide information for the two countries’ businesses to navigate each other’s market.
It will also seek non-governmental aid from Poland and meet several EU non-governmental organisations to mobilise aid for projects in education-training, culture, science-technology, and dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin.
Speaking at the congress, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Wojciech Gerwel thanked the VPFA and the Association of Overseas Vietnamese in Poland for offering medical support to the Polish people amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He hoped that the two countries’ younger generations will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors to reinforce all-around bilateral ties.
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| President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga speaks at the event. Photo: Tuan Viet/VUFO |
Agreeing with the association’s tasks in the near future, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga expressed her hope that the VPFA would further develop to contribute more to the friendship between the two countries.
Nga asked the association to continue to innovate leadership methods and its operation; seek new partners in the European country and pay attention to carrying out practical activities to serve as a bridge to increase mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
On this occasion, the VPFA was honoured to receive the PM's certificate of merits. The association and many of its members were awarded the certificates of merit and the medal ‘For the peace and friendship among peoples’ by the VUFO./.
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| The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations honoured several collectives and individuals of the VPFA for their outstanding achievements. Photo: Tuan Viet/VUFO |
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