Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Political Commissar of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, presided over the event.
Themed “Cooperation in search and rescue at sea,” the second edition, which will officially take place from December 17 to 21 in Hanoi, reaffirms countries’ coordination in conducting search and rescue operations and responding to non-traditional security challenges at sea as well as their commitment to building the waters of peace, cooperation, friendship, and joint development.
    |
 |
|
Lt. Gen. Bui Quoc Oai speaks at the event. |
This event serves as an opportunity for law enforcement forces from regional countries to exchange lessons, methods, and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of search and rescue missions. It also aims to strengthen trust, mutual understanding, and coordination while facilitating timely information sharing, contributing to enhancing the quality of international humanitarian activities, search and rescue operations, and natural disaster response at sea.
The second edition will see participation of law enforcement forces from seven countries, namely China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
This exchange program is a key event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the foundation day of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of the Whole-People’s Defense Festive Day. The event exemplifies the Vietnam Coast Guard’s proactive approach to expanding international cooperation and elevating its foreign relations activities, contributing to realizing the foreign policy and defense diplomacy outlined by the Party, the State, and the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense’s directives on international integration and defense diplomacy.
|
|
 |
|
A view of the press meeting |
The main activities include courtesy calls on the Vietnamese Minister of National Defense, bilateral meetings between the Vietnam Coast Guard Command and participating delegations, sideline meetings, a visit to the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, a tour to Ha Long city, and the “Vietnam Coast Guard and Friends” Gala Night.
The Gala Night, themed “Unity is Strength,” is regarded as the highlight of the program. It will feature impressive exchanges, unique cultural performances, and speeches by leaders and heads of maritime law enforcement forces from the seven participating countries and international organizations. Through this event, the Vietnam Coast Guard Command seeks to deliver an important message to neighboring countries and those with adjacent maritime areas that the Vietnam Coast Guard is committed to standing alongside the international community for a blue ocean of peace and for the survival of humanity.
Translated by Chung Anh