Vietnam highlights triangular cooperation in Francophonie

Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has expressed his hope to strengthen triangular cooperation at the meeting with Secretary General of the Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo in Hanoi on March 25.

Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Secretary General of the Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo in Hanoi on Mar 24. Photo: VNA

Triangular cooperation is a kind of collaboration in which traditional donor countries and multilateral organizations facilitate South-South initiatives through the provision of funding, training, management, and technological systems as well as other forms of support.

He hoped that OIF will support the economic connection between Vietnam and African countries, mostly the exchange of rice, cotton, cashew nut, and coffee to tap the potential of the 100-million people market of Vietnam.

Phuc’s idea is in line with the triangular cooperation’s strategy that has enormous potential for agriculture and rural development in developing countries. It can facilitate experience exchange and provide solutions to pressing development challenges.

The Vietnamese president also stressed the importance of the cooperation between Vietnam and the African Union and the South-South cooperation (covering the direct exchange of knowledge, experiences, skills, resources, and technical know-how among developing countries).

At the meeting, Phuc expected further support from OIF and Francophone nations in training Vietnam’s soldiers and policemen for the United Nations peacekeeping missions in African French-speaking countries.

He hoped the Francophonie to continue its support to the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam on security and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as solving disputes in a peaceful manner and in accordance with international law.

Above all, economic cooperation remains the highlight in the president’s talks.

Salle du VIIème sommet de la Francophonie inaugurated in the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi on Mar 24. Photo: Baoquocte

For her part, Louise Mushikiwabo said the OIF upholds a people-centered approach with a focus on economic cooperation that covers digital transformation and administrative reforms among member states. She hoped for further trade and economic ties between Vietnam and Francophone countries.

Stressing that Vietnam is one of the leading Francophone members, the secretary general expected further cooperation with Vietnam in teaching French in the country.

Louise Mushikiwabo is on her week-long visit to Vietnam starting March 21 accompanied by more than 100 Francophone businesspersons.

The fact that the Francophonie chose Vietnam as the first country for the organization’s Economic Cooperation Strategy 2020-2025 demonstrates the role of Vietnam in the OIF, one of the leading Francophone hubs and French-speaking countries in Asia-Pacific, and the country’s dynamic economy that many African countries are interested in.

On the same day, French Space or Salle du VIIème sommet de la Francophonie was inaugurated at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) in Hanoi – one of the oldest centers training French in Vietnam.

Louise Mushikiwabo said the facility is a symbol of the cooperation between OIF and DAV and the friendship between the Francophonie and Vietnam.

According to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), Vietnam has been implementing South-South and triangular cooperation over the years, especially with the African Region. A new dawn has set in with Vietnam’s unparalleled economic dynamism and achievement in poverty eradication including its unique focus on multi-dimensional poverty alleviation, as well as gender equality and peacebuilding. The UNOSSC mission and the UN Country Team noted that above what it is doing, Vietnam has much to offer in South-South Cooperation.