HA NOI, 27 FEBRUARY 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, in collaboration with the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) Management Team (AMT), and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) hosted the ACCF Promotion and ASEAN Project Proposal Development Training for Vietnamese Government Officials and Agencies from 25-27 February 2025 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. The event was conducted to promote ACCF, as well as to provide training in developing ASEAN cooperation project proposals along with their rules and procedures.

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director-General of the ASEAN Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, delivered his opening remarks in person and welcomed participants from various government ministries and agencies, AMT and ASEC. He expressed his appreciation to AMT and ASEC for their efforts to make the training possible. He emphasized that the training will provide participants valuable insights related to ASEAN Community, ASEAN-China cooperation, as well as the capacity of developing ASEAN project proposals, especially the project proposals which seek funding from ACCF.

He highlighted that the training coincides with a pivotal moment for ASEAN and Viet Nam, as both are entering new phases of development. ASEAN is working towards a resilient, innovative, and people-centered Community by 2045, while Viet Nam is preparing for a new era of growth and prosperity. The year 2025 also marks Viet Nam’s 30th anniversary as an ASEAN member, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to regional integration and an opportunity to reflect on how Viet Nam can further contribute to ASEAN-China cooperation, particularly in the development of ASEAN-China Plan of Action (2026-2030). He wished that the training will envisage to equip participants with the knowledge needed to develop impactful projects that leverage Viet Nam’s strategic role within ASEAN-China cooperation.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, Hou Yanqi, through her pre-recorded remarks, expressed her appreciation to Viet Nam for its support as this event’s host. She highlighted the strong momentum of China-ASEAN cooperation, marked by deepened political trust, fruitful economic and trade collaboration, and implementation of landmark projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. She stressed that building on the consensus reached by leaders of China and ASEAN last year, in 2025, the two sides will focus on promoting the entry into force and implementation of FTA version 3, continuing to organize the “ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, and further deepening practical cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, connectivity, digital, science and technology, new energy, and blue economy.

She believed that the training will help Viet Nam to improve the quality and effectiveness of ACCF project application and implementation. She encouraged participants to develop project proposals which align with China-ASEAN cooperation.  She welcomed all participants to design and implement more practical projects that align with leader’s initiatives and agreements, emphasizing initiatives that continue to promote the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2025, and make good use of the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship. She urged greater synergy between ASEAN community building with the building of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home for China and ASEAN, and leveraging Viet Nam’s strengths in building the ASEAN community and promoting the development of China-ASEAN relation.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, through his pre-recorded remarks, extended his appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, the AMT, and ASEC for organizing this ACCF Promotion and ASEAN Project Proposal Development Training for Viet Nam. He emphasised that the workshop plays a crucial role in enhancing the capacities of proponents in Viet Nam and aims for the development of results-based ASEAN cooperation projects that will strengthen ASEAN and China relations and support the overall ASEAN community building efforts.

He stressed the critical importance of regionality in the project proposals that the participants will develop as ASEAN cooperation projects are designed to address challenges at the regional level. He also emphasised that partnership and collaboration are essential elements of successful projects as projects cannot be done in isolation. He encouraged all participants to actively participate in the training and continue to collaborate with AMT and ASEC.

A total of 47 participants from Vietnamese government ministries and agencies across the three ASEAN Community Pillars participated in the training, which included presentations, exercises, group works, and discussions, led by the technical experts from AMT and ASEC on developing regional project proposals and managing ASEAN cooperation projects using a results-based management approach.

At the end of the training, participants developed and presented six regional project proposal drafts on: (1) Practical Training Program for Early-Career University Lecturers in Teaching and Research; (2) Enhancing Collaboration and Engagement of ASEAN-China Tourism and Culture Stakeholders; (3) Reducing Urban Water Pollution in ASEAN Craft Markets through Sustainable Production and Waste Management; (4) ASEAN Regional Initiative for Child Cyberbullying Prevention (ARICCP); (5) Policies Research and Recommendation for Using AI Tools in Higher Education of ASEAN Countries; and (6) Implementing the Comprehensive AI Governance Framework in ASEAN Countries.

Director-General Tran Duc Binh closed the training by expressing his deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to its success, especially to AMT and ASEC, as well as to the participants for their active participation. He stressed that the workshop had deepened their understanding of project development within ASEAN and highlighted the importance of China’s support in the ASEAN region. He looked forward to Viet Nam’s innovative projects which will be funded by ACCF.

The training culminated with the awarding of certificates to the participants by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, marking their successful completion of the course.