The ceremony was held at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)’s headquarters in the Swiss city in the presence of heads of international organisations and permanent missions, foreign diplomats and local officials, as well as overseas Vietnamese representatives.
The highlight of the event was the traditional Vietnamese clothing show named “Vietmode,” presenting the latest collection by Vietnamese designer Minh Hanh, with costumes made from silk and brocade. The unique cultural features integrated in the designs show the designer’s desire to preserve and promote the values of the nation’s traditional culture.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, stressed that the country prioritises preserving and promoting national identity and cultural traditions.
He reviewed Vietnam’s achievements after more than three decades of Doi Moi (renovation) period, stating that it has transformed from a war-torn country to one of the most dynamic economies in Asia Pacific. Since joining the United Nations (UN) in 1977, Vietnam has always been committed to the noble goal of the world’s largest international organisation to build a world of peace, security and development, he said.
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Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, speaks at a ceremony to mark the country’s 74th National Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 24. (Photo: VNA)
The country has become a member of various international organisations, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In Geneva, Vietnam was an active member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2014-2016 and the core group of sponsors of the council’s resolution on human rights and climate change since 2015. It has also contributed to other UN agencies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN International Law Commission (ILC) and WIPO, as well as chairing the UN Conference on Disarmament 2019, the Vietnamese diplomat said.
2020 will be significant for Vietnam, he said, adding that the year would mark the end of the country’s socio-economic development plan for 2016-2020 and the transition to a new period of high growth in the third decade of the 21st century. More importantly, Vietnam will assume the ASEAN Chair and become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, he noted.
Earlier, on September 17, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Swiss capital of Bern hosted a banquet to celebrate the 74th National Day. The event featured various art performances and a traditional martial arts show.
