People’s diplomacy for of peace, solidarity, friendship and aid from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has created breakthroughs and a social, public foundation for the relationship between Vietnam and other countries and peoples, said the head of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO).

VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong made this statement on the outstanding results over the past 60 years of the construction and development of VUFO as an external relations agency of the Party and State.

In a letter sent to a conference on the establishment of the Vietnam World Peace Protection Committee on Nov. 17, 1950, Uncle Ho affirmed the Vietnamese people’s ardent desire for peace and their noble task in protecting world peace.

The inauguration of the Vietnam World Peace Protection Committee and friendship associations and the Committee of Solidarity with Foreign Countries has reflected the clear-sighted vision of the Party and Uncle Ho on the important and unique role of people’s diplomatic organizations in each of Vietnam’s revolutionary periods, said Hong.

Hence, Nov. 17 has become the traditional anniversary day of the VUFO, he said.

In the context of national integration and the renewal process, VUFO has fulfilled its task in the fields of peace, solidarity, friendship, cooperation, keeping contact with old friends and developing relationships with new partners to set up a network of friends understanding, uniting with and helping Vietnam.

Talking about the role of people’s diplomacy in the new situation, the VUFO leader said that VUFO’s mission aims to help people worldwide understand Vietnam.

Apart from the role in national liberation, external relations have an increasingly important position in mobilising foreign NGOs in national socio-economic development, Hong said.

According to VUFO President Hong, foreign NGOs operating in various fields in Vietnam have made significant contributions to directly supporting and helping humanitarian aid projects, overcoming the aftermath of the war and engaging in sustainable development.

Boasting achievements in hunger eradication and poverty reduction worldwide, NGOs have provided not only financial assistance but also diversified experiences in building hunger eradication and poverty reduction models.

Vietnamese people have effectively used this aid source and the effective application of various hunger eradication and poverty reduction models in the nation have been recognized in the world.

In addition, NGOs have experience as well as scientific and technological expertise to help Vietnam in clearing bombs, landmines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) in war-devastated provinces and also help people injured in the war.

Over the past 10 years, NGOs have provided around 1.3 billion USD to Vietnamese people in non-refundable aid. This is a significant source for the most disadvantaged, poorest and most remote areas in Vietnam, stressed Hong.

The aid, which has a direct impact on the country’s socio-economic development and other fields, has increased, reaching 275 million USD in 2009 and is expected to reach around 300 million USD this year, said the VUFO leader.

A VUFO traditional house was inaugurated on Nov. 16 at No. 105 Quan Thanh Street, Hanoi, on the occasion of its 60th traditional day./.