Vietnamese diplomats urged to adapt to digital era

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga asked Vietnamese diplomats to adapt to challenges and opportunities during the digital era at the 14th annual conference of deans and directors of ASEAN+3 diplomatic training institutes held in Hanoi on October 23.

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga at the event (Photo: VNA)
Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga at the event (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Nga, who is also Vice Chairwoman of the APEC Vision Group and Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, suggested that Vietnam should devise a specific strategy to train diplomats.

She added that curricula on diplomacy and external relations should adopt new approaches, including updating digital technology and equipment, and offering flexible and detailed contents.

According to her, foreign ministries worldwide are discussing policies on the formation of digital diplomacy, the use of Internet and new technologies to fulfill their assigned tasks.

However, she also urged diplomats to cope with negative impact of digital technology.

As Vietnam will assume the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, she said diplomats must be aware that international cooperation demand during the digital era is different from that in the past, including security, socio-economic affairs, sustainable and inclusive development.

With the participation of international experts, professors, lecturers from the UK, Australia and ASEAN, the event will afford Vietnamese diplomats a chance to learn about how to respond to crisis, uncertainties and incidents during the digital era, she said.