Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs Visits US

Information sharing seminar with US NGOs. Photo: PACCOM

During their visit in the US, the delegation held a number of seminars with US Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and some religious organizations to share information, strengthen cooperation and mobilize aid.

They visited and worked with NGOs, think-tanks, a number of US government agencies; worked with the offices of US senators. They met and exchanged with some US friends of Vietnam; worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington DC. and Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations.

At the seminars, the delegation shared with organizations about the guidelines and policies of Vietnam in development issues, the socio-economic situation, the activities of the foreign NGOs and US NGOs particularly.

They update with organizations the new legal documents and regulations of Vietnam in foreign NGO work, information on the activities of the Committee and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO). They discussed directions and measures to promote relations between Vietnam and US NGOs.

Information sharing seminar with US NGOs. Photo: PACCOM

The delegation also exchanged and responded to organizations on issues of concern, including issues related to cooperation orientation, priority areas and some problems in administrative procedures.

Appreciating Vietnam’s policies and supporting activities of the Committee and VUFO, the organizations all expressed their commitment to continue supporting Vietnam.

At the seminar on September 22, Phan Anh Son awarded the Certificate of Merit from the VUFO Presidium to the Roots of Peace (ROP) for its contributions in supporting the recovery of war consequences in Vietnam. The certificate was awared on ROP’s 25th anniversary.

Phan Anh Son presented the Certificate of Merit from the VUFO Presidium to Heidi Kuhn, founder and CEO of Roots of Peace (ROP). Photo: PACCOM

The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) organized a discussion with the participation of a number of religious organizations and NGOs of religious origin. At the event, the delegation of COMINGO shared information about Vietnam’s socio-economic development, cooperation between Vietnam and US partners, including US NGOs.

They also shared about the cooperation between the Committee, VUFO with US partners and friends; Vietnam’s needs and priorities in foreign non-governmental aid mobilization; and answered some questions related to this field.

The delegation of the Committee took photo with the Leadership Board of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) and representatives of US non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian aid organizations of religious origin. Photo: PACCOM

At the working sessions with the American NGOs, the delegation discussed with the leaders of the organizations about the directions, priorities and future plans of Vietnam and the Committee particularly in strengthening cooperation with partner NGOs and US donors.

This is to serve sustainable socio-economic development in Vietnam and improve the efficiency of cooperation between NGOs and Vietnamese partners.

The head of the delegation Phan Anh Son also asked these organizations to mobilize the budget, devote more resources to programs and projects to support sustainable development in Vietnam.

The delegation of the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs worked with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in the US. Photo: PACCOM

Phan Anh Son took photo with Vice President of Winrock International. Photo: PACCOM

During the visit, the delegation also worked with government agencies and a number of think-tank organizations such as United States Agency for International Development-USAID, United States Institute of Peace-USIP, Stimson Center, Asia Society Policy Insitute-ASPI under Asia Society.

At meetings with policy consulting organizations, the head of the delegation proposed a number of specific initiatives and directions to cooperate with each partner, especially in the fields that Vietnam has needs, supported by partners.

At the meeting with USAID, Ann Marie Yatishock, USAID/Vietnam mission director said that they will continue to support and cooperate with Vietnamese partners. They hope that the Committee and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations will continue to support USAID’s aid recipients in Vietnam.

The delegation took photo with Ann Marie Yatishock, USAID/Vietnam mission director and USAID officials. Photo: PACCOM

Working with USIP. Photo: PACCOM

Working session with Stimson Center. Photo: PACCOM

Working session with ASPI. Photo: PACCOM

Working with Frank Jannuzi, president and CEO of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Photo: PACCOM

At the meeting with Tim Rieser, senior foreign policy aid for Senator Patrick Leahy – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and members of the advisory group, the two sides discussed the Senator’s plan to visit Vietnam.

They also discussed cooperation between Vietnam and US NGOs, especially in overcoming the consequences of war and socio-economic development in Vietnam.

Working with Tim Rieser and Paul Grove. Photo: PACCOM

Visit Richard C. Schmitt and his wife. Photo: PACCOM

Visit the family of John McAuliff and Mary Byrne McDonnell. Photo: PACCOM

At meetings with some US friends of Vietnam, Phan Anh Son sincerely thanked them for their tireless contributions to the friendship between the two peoples over the past decades.

He hoped that they would continue to promote exchanges and connections to enhance understanding between the two peoples.

The two sides discussed the socio-economic development of Vietnam, the direction to expand the network of US friends, and the plan to carry out activities to raise funds for humanitarian aid and development assistance programs, projects in Vietnam.