Addressing a session on reformed multilateralism, the Vietnamese leader affirmed the unreplaceable role of multilateral mechanisms and highlighted contributions by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to settling the issues of shared concern of the international community, as well as to building frameworks and principles on emerging issues.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attends a session on reformed multilateralism at the Francophonie Summit on Oct. 5, 2024.

To uphold the role of multilateralism, he emphasized the necessity to connect it with major transition processes, particularly digital transformation and green transition.

The Francophone community should also adapt to this trend and assist members to improve their technological capacity, develop clean energy, and successfully realize the Sustainable Development Goals. Science and technology form the key for the community to make breakthroughs in the future.

Meanwhile, to improve the efficiency of multilateral institutions, including the OIF, Lam pointed out the importance of promoting reforms to respond to swift changes of the world situation and the Francophone space.

He suggested the Francophone community carry out reforms in a way that focuses more on its members’ priorities, especially in terms of economic cooperation and coordination to implement the documents of the Summit of the Future.

Multilateralism is successful only when its inclusiveness, comprehensiveness, and center on people, especially the young, are guaranteed, he continued, calling on the Francophone community to keep bolstering people-to-people, cultural, and educational exchange programmes in the French language so as to maintain a beautiful language linking Francophone members, thereby spreading the results of the community’s cooperation to all people.

At the summit, participating leaders highly valued the Francophone community’s contributions to promoting dialogue, building peace, and bringing into play cultural and language diversity, thereby helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals and cope with global challenges.

They also voiced concerns over recent complicated developments in the world, especially in the Middle East. They underlined the request for reforming multilateral mechanisms, including Francophone ones, improve the mechanisms’ efficiency, and adapt to the trends of the era in a timely manner.

The 19th Francophonie Summit wrapped up on the same day, with the adoption of several important documents, including the Villers-Cotterêts declaration, a resolution on the political system and consolidation of peace in the Francophone space and statement of solidarity with Lebanon.

The summit also agreed the official membership of Ghana and Republic of Cyprus to the OIF, raising the number of the organization's members to 93. Besides, it admitted Angola, Chile, Canada’s Nouvelle-Escosse province, France’s Polynesia region and Germany’s Sarre state as observers.

Furthermore, it decided the organization of the 46th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie in Côte d'Ivoire next year and the 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia in 2026. Hanoi hosted the 7th summit in 1997.

The 19th summit took place in France on Oct. 4-5.

Vietnamese, Irish leaders seek ways to strengthen relations

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris compared notes on cooperation orientations and measures to deepen the traditional friendship and multi-faceted collaboration between Vietnam and Ireland during their meeting in Dublin on October 3.

Irish President hosts welcome ceremony for Vietnamese top leader

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his spouse hosted an official welcome ceremony in Dublin on October 2 for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam who are paying a state visit to Ireland from October 1 -3.

Top leader To Lam begins state visit to Ireland

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam landed at Dublin Airport at 8:30 pm on October 1 (local time), beginning a state visit to Ireland at the invitation of Irish President Michael D. Higgins.

Vietnam's top leader meets representatives of outstanding Mongolian economic entities

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam met with representatives from outstanding Mongolian economic organisations in Ulaanbaatar on October 1.

Vietnam, Mongolia issue joint statement on establishing comprehensive partnership

Vietnam and Mongolia issued a joint statement on the establishment of the comprehensive partnership during a state visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on September 30 - October 1.