Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh attended and directed the conference.

In addition, the conference was also attended by nearly 400 delegates, from the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, departments, branches, central agencies and mass organizations; provinces and cities across the country; association of overseas relatives, liaison associations; heads of representative offices in areas with large numbers of overseas Vietnamese; former leaders responsible for work for overseas Vietnamese.

Comprehensive review of the implementation of Directive 45 over the past 5 years

Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh said that the conference was held at a very suitable time when agencies and localities have just completed the organization of party congresses at all levels and the whole country is emulating to gain achievements to celebrate the 13th National Party Congress.

Therefore, the conference has a great importance to comprehensively evaluate the implementation of Directive 45 over the past 5 years and identify directions and tasks for a new development stage, he said.

He affirmed that the potential, position and prestige that Vietnam has is thanks to the solidarity of the entire nation, the wise leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as the contribution of the effort, intelligence, and blood sacrifices of many generations of Vietnamese people, including generations of overseas Vietnamese community, which now includes 5.3 million people.

He emphasized that the development of the overseas Vietnamese community and the important contributions of overseas Vietnamese for our country has proved the correctness of the guidelines and policies of the Party and State for the work on overseas Vietnamese, including Directive 45 of the Politburo.

In the coming years, the world situation will continue to be complicated and affect many aspects of the security and development environment of Vietnam. The S-shaped country enters a new strategic period (2021 - 2030) with higher requirements for socio-economic development and international integration. In that context, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested that the conference focuses on exchange and in-depth discussions on: viewpoints and directions of the Party for the work on overseas Vietnamese in Directive 45 and Resolution 36 of the Politburo; and focus on a comprehensive review of policies and measures for the work of overseas Vietnamese over the past time, especially over the past 5 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh believed that the conference will promote intelligence, enthusiasm and a high sense of responsibility to make recommendations on guidelines and policies, as well as specific measures to comprehensively promote the work of the overseas Vietnamese, thereby contributing to strengthening the block of great national solidarity, meeting increasing requirements of the cause of building and defending the country in the new situation.

Work on overseas Vietnamese has achieved important results

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV) Dang Minh Khoi said that working on overseas Vietnamese is always of interest to the Party and State, especially after the Politburo issued Resolution 36 on March 26, 2004 and Directive 45 on May 19, 2015.

Mass mobilization and encouragement of overseas Vietnamese community towards their origin has always been of interest to leaders of the Party and State, leaders of ministries, departments, branches, socio-political organizations and localities. The protection of the legitimate interests of the overseas Vietnamese community is always paid attention. The measures to attract knowledge and economic resources of overseas Vietnamese community have been actively implemented.

In addition, teaching and learning Vietnamese language has spread widely among the overseas Vietnamese community in all areas. The work of supporting the overseas Vietnamese community to preserve and promote the national cultural identity is regularly maintained with many rich and diversified cultural and artistic activities.

According to Deputy Minister Dang Minh Khoi, these important results have brought about positive changes in the community. The overseas Vietnamese community is increasing in number and expanding in the area. The role, position and prestige of the overseas Vietnamese community in the local society is increasingly enhanced.

On this occasion, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh presented the Medals of "For the cause of Vietnam’s diplomacy" and Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to five individuals for their achievements in the cause of construction and development of Vietnam's diplomatic sector. In addition, 28 collectives and individuals were also presented the Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs for their achievements in overseas Vietnamese work in the 2016-2020 period./.

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