The message was delivered by Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations Office in Geneva, at an event hosted by the Vietnamese Mission at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to mark Vietnam’s 81st National Day (September 2).

According to the ambassador, after 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), Vietnam is entering a new development period focused on strengthening national capacity, enhancing strategic autonomy, improving people’s quality of life and making more active and responsible contributions to the international community.

He said Vietnam’s new development era is part of the broader development of the region and the world, as each country is increasingly linked to peace, stability and prosperity worldwide.

Vietnam will therefore contribute to common efforts to promote peace, cooperation and development, he said.

Dung highlighted several major diplomatic achievements in 2026, including Vietnam’s role as President of the 11th Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In this role, Vietnam was praised for its inclusive approach, constructive spirit and efforts to bridge differences among parties, he said.

Vietnam also began its third term at the United Nations Human Rights Council, upgraded relations with the European Union and concluded negotiations on the Vietnam-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement.

On July 2, Vietnam and EFTA officially announced the conclusion of negotiations after 21 formal rounds, opening a new phase of cooperation between Vietnam and the four EFTA member states – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Dung affirmed that Vietnam will continue to play an active and responsible role in multilateral mechanisms and promote international cooperation based on respect for international law, greater trust, and joint efforts to address common challenges.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat also thanked the Swiss Government and people, international partners and friends, and the Vietnamese community abroad for their continued support for Vietnam.

The event was attended by more than 300 guests, including nearly 70 ambassadors, permanent representatives and senior officials from more than 100 missions and representative offices in Geneva, as well as representatives of international organisations, local authorities, the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese students in Switzerland.

Multilateral Diplomacy: Elevating Vietnam’s global standing

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang has highlighted the significant role of multilateral diplomacy in Vietnam’s development in the new era in an article released ahead of the 33rd Diplomatic Conference and the 22nd National Conference on External Affairs, slated for August 1–8 in Hanoi.