Vietnam, African Union establish diplomatic relations
Vietnam wishes to strengthen cooperation with the African Union (AU) in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment and culture, and in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa, Vietnamese Ambassador to Ethiopia Nguyen Nam Tien has said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Ethiopia Nguyen Nam Tien (right) presents his letter of credentials to chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat. (Photo: VNA)
Pretoria (VNA) – Vietnam wishes to strengthencooperation with the African Union (AU) in the fields of politics, diplomacy,economy, trade, investment and culture, and in United Nations peacekeeping operationsin Africa, Vietnamese Ambassador to Ethiopia Nguyen Nam Tien has said.
He made the statement while presenting his letter of credentialsto chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa FakiMahamat in Addis Ababa on December 15, marking the official establishment of Vietnam-AUdiplomatic relations.
The diplomatunderlined that Vietnam stands ready to make more direct and proactive contributions tothe AU's common effort for an African of integration, prosperity and peace,that is promoted by the African people themselves and represents a dynamic force on theglobal arena.
Ambassador Tien said he will do his utmost to lift cooperative ties between Vietnam and theAU to a new height.
The diplomat briefed the host about Vietnam'srecent achievements, saying that the country has established diplomaticties with 189 out of 193UN members and trade relations with more than 230 economies. It iscurrentlythe 4th largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN)and 37th in the world. The agricultural sector, as a driving force ofthe country's economy, has contributed to ensuring national foodsecurity and creating jobsfor millions of workers, thus contributing to povertyreduction and social welfare, he added.
In Africa, Vietnam has set up diplomatic ties with 54 out of 55countries and will soon establish diplomatic relations with Malawi.
The chairperson of the African UnionCommission spoke highly of the achievements Vietnam has obtainedin national construction and development, while highlighting the country'simportant role in ASEAN.
He said he believes that in the coming time, Vietnam will make greater contributionsto Agenda 2063 for peace and security in Africa, contributing to strengthening all-round cooperation between Vietnam and Africa.
🌱 Ambassador Tien took this occasion to convey President Vo Van Thuong’sinvitation to the chairperson of the Africa Union Commission to visit Vietnam soon./.
Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 10 sent a letter of congratulations to his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall on the occasion of Senegal’s holding of the rotating Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) in 2022.
Africa has remained a silver lining in trade between Vietnam and the world, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed at a seminar held by the foreign ministry on November 1.
President Vo Van Thuong received visiting Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile in Hanoi on December 14, affirming that Vietnam attaches importance to the partnership for cooperation and development with South Africa.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Ethiopia Nguyen Nam Tien (right) presents his letter of credentials to chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat. (Photo: VNA) 
