(VOVworld) - The 3rd partnership meeting between Vietnam and international non-governmental organizations (INGO) is scheduled for next week to review their 10-year cooperation and define future cooperation plan. The 2-day event expects to welcome 800 guests from INGOs in Vietnam, bilateral and multilateral development cooperation agencies, sponsors, embassies in Vietnam, Vietnam’s ministries, and people’s organizations.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Deputy Head of the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organization Affairs Don Tuan Phong said that Vietnam has evolved into a middle-income country to be excluded from the list of priority assistance recipients. So the Vietnamese Party and State are keen on making the most of and appreciating the assistance provided by other governments, international organizations, and INGOs.
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| Photo depicts a conference to announce the 3rd partnership meeting between Vietnam and international non-governmental organizations. (Photo: VOV) |
Phong said: "Vietnam has a strong interest in cooperation with INGOs. Amidst changes in policies of bilateral and multilateral sponsors, INGOs’ role is increasing. So Vietnam defines its relations with INGOs as cooperation for development, not as supplier and recipient of aid as they used to be in the past. Cooperation with INGOs will enable Vietnam to grow stronger in a sustainable manner, which will encourage Vietnam’s greater international involvement and responsibility"
The two previous meetings were held in 1992 and 2003.
Vietnam has established relations with 1,000 NGOs over the past 2 decades. Their aid has surged from 50 million USD per year in 1990 to 300 million USD per year recently. This source of aid, along side non-refundable official development assistance, has contributed remarkably to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.