The statement was made by Moroccan Ambassador to Viet Nam Jamale Chouaibi, who is also the Dean of the Africa Group of Ambassadors, at a ceremony held in Ha Noi on May 22 to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of Africa Day (May 25, 1963 - 2026).
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan; representatives of the Embassies of African countries in Viet Nam, including Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa, and diplomatic corps in Ha Noi; as well as delegates from various Vietnamese ministries, agencies and sectors.
On behalf of the Government and people of Viet Nam, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan extended his warmest congratulations to the Governments and peoples of African countries, Ambassadors and Heads of African diplomatic missions, as well as all African friends living, studying and working in Viet Nam.
He added that the year 2025 marked many special milestones in Viet Nam - Africa friendship and cooperation. For the first time, the State President, President of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister of Viet Nam all visited Africa within the same year. Viet Nam also welcomed a number of high-level African delegations and, for the first time, established and upgraded cooperation frameworks with three African partners. Economic ties are also flourishing, with two-way trade turnover in 2025 recording a 27% growth compared to 2024.
Building on trust and historical ties, and the determination of leaders and peoples from both sides, the Deputy Minister expressed his belief that the Viet Nam - Africa relations will continue to thrive in the spirit of “cooperation for mutual development and benefit”, making positive contributions to the realisation of development goals and serving the practical interests of the people.
For his part, Moroccan Ambassador and Dean of the Africa Group of Ambassadors to Viet Nam Jamale Chouaibi said: “We observe Africa Day to celebrate our unity as Africans, and to remind ourselves of the responsibility we all share to bring about an Africa and a world order that is peaceful, prosperous and united.”
On this occasion, he commended Viet Nam for the successful and smooth transitions that have taken place this year following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the 16th National Assembly elections.
The Dean of the Africa Group of Ambassadors to Viet Nam affirmed the partnership between Africa and Vietnam holds great promise. Trade and investment flows are steadily increasing, and there is significant potential to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, education, technology transfer, and sustainable development.
He emphasised that the continuation of the economic ties should also be driven by our people-to-people relations. Viet Nam has been forging these ties through the various scholarships offered to African students at the Viet Nam Maritime University and other educational institutions.
May 25, 2026 marks the 63rd anniversary of Africa Day — an important milestone commemorating the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of today’s African Union (AU).
