The opening ceremony of the annual Conference of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), under the theme “The Role of Public Governance in Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Towards the Sustainable Development Goals”, was held on October 17 at the National Convention Center, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Home Affairs of Viet Nam, delivered the opening remarks for the Conference.
An overview of the Conference.
The Conference was co-chaired by Hon. Benjamin Abalos, Jr., Minister of the Interior and Local Government of the Philippines; H.E.Assoc.Prof.Dr. Trieu Van Cuong, Vice Minister of Home Affairs of Viet Nam; Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr., Secretary-General of EROPA; Atty. Ryan Alvin Acosta, Commissioner, Civil Service Commission of the Philippines, Representative of the President of the EROPA General Assembly; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), Vice Chair of the EROPA Executive Council.
The Chairs of the opening ceremony.
International delegates attending the Conference include Hon. Kanat Tumysh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Viet Nam; H.E. Denny Abdi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Viet Nam; H.E. Dato’ Tan Yang Thai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to Viet Nam; H.E. Samina Mehtab, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Viet Nam; H.E. Meynardo LB Montealegre, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines in Viet Nam; Mr. Brian Allemekinders, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Canada to Vietnam; Mrs. Sonechanh Putthavong, Counselor of the Embassy of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Viet Nam; Mr. Lim Byung Chul, Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Viet Nam; Heads of EROPA State members, including China, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam. Also present are members of the Steering Committee of the 2023 EROPA Conference and representatives of leaders from various ministries, departments, and agencies of Viet Nam.
EROPA was founded in 1960. It is the first organization in the Asia-Pacific region to be devoted to the development of public administration in order to advance the economic and social development of countries in the region; it is also a forum for exchanging information and initiatives on approaching innovation towards an efficient, effective, and transparent administration.
H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Home Affairs, delivering the opening remarks at the Conference.
In her opening remarks at the Conference, H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Home Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, emphasized Viet Nam’s goal and determination to build a national public service that genuinely drives the country’s rapid and sustainable development. She noted that in the current period, many countries around the world are facing numerous challenges to sustainable development. Multidimensional shocks resulting from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a crisis considered by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as the most severe since the Great Depression of 1929 – 1933, along with climate change, non-traditional security issues, conflicts at many different levels among countries, and complex international developments, are posing significant challenges to the sustainable development of each country, region and the world.
Viet Nam, like many other countries, is dealing with various consequences in the post-pandemic period that can threaten economic growth and sustainability. Therefore, the selection of the theme “The Role of Public Governance in Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Towards the Sustainable Development Goals” for the EROPA Conference underscores the importance and responsibility of EROPA in addressing these issues, especially concerning sustainable development regionally and globally.
Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized that as an active and responsible member of many important international organizations and forums, Viet Nam always proactively participates and contributes to the activities of EROPA. In the context of efforts to promote sustainable development-driven public governance, the theme “The Role of Public Governance in Socio-Economic Recovery and Development Towards the Sustainable Development Goals” of the Conference is highly practical and relevant. This theme not only affirms the role but also speaks to the responsibility of public governance in achieving sustainable development.
The Minister also affirmed that with efforts to recover and promote sustainable development, Viet Nam has been implementing several breakthrough policies. Viet Nam’s 10-year socio-economic development strategy from 2021 to 2030 underscores a strong emphasis on renewing thinking, constructing and perfecting a comprehensive institution for sustainable national development, strongly renewing growth models, restructuring the economy, industrialization, and modernization. The country emphasizes innovation, pushing forward with digital transformation, and developing a digital economy and digital society. Moreover, Viet Nam focuses its resources on building a green, circular, and environmentally friendly economic model.
Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra expressed confidence that, with its prestige and far-reaching influence, EROPA will always be a strong bridge nurturing friendship among its member countries. Each speaker and scholar attending the Conference will serve as an ambassador, sharing vivid experiences in public governance towards the sustainable development goals. The Minister hopes that the 2023 EROPA Conference will provide profound and comprehensive insights into public governance reform and public service reform; supplement and further develop the theory of public governance in a diverse environment; find breakthrough solutions for public service reform to promote sustainable development.
Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr., EROPA Secretary General, delivering his welcome remarks at the Conference.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Conference, Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr., Secretary General of EROPA, expressed his gratitude for the presence of H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Home Affairs of Viet Nam; Hon. Benjamin Abalos Jr., Minister of the Interior and Local Government, Philippines along with officials, heads of state-level member delegations, delegates, and speakers attending the Conference.
According to him, the 2023 EROPA Conference brings many fresh perspectives as the Conference transitions from an online platform to comprehensive interaction after many years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EROPA Conference is a bridge for delegates and speakers to come together as a diverse community united by a common goal of promoting public governance to accelerate the process of socio-economic recovery and ensure the realization of sustainable development goals. The world is currently facing multifaceted challenges, ranging from public health crises to environmental concerns and social inequality. To address these challenges, the role of public governance has become more crucial than ever.
Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr. also discussed modern governance in the VUCA world, including four elements: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. To overcome the VUCA state, stability is required for development. Stability often goes hand in hand with solid things, but in the VUCA state, flexibility helps us adapt and establish stability effectively, preventing redundancies. Both individuals and organizations need to continuously update habits and lifestyles to adapt to each stage of the “new normal”.
He also emphasized that the knowledge and experience presented at the Conference, with more than 150 research documents focusing on socio-economic recovery and development, public governance renewal, and public governance capacity building, of a team of experienced scholars will certainly open doors for greater knowledge innovation and comprehensive development. Delegates and speakers from many countries with diverse backgrounds have offered unique perspectives to enrich the content, resulting in innovative and enlightening solutions for modern public administration.
The Secretary-General extended his gratitude to the EROPA Executive Council, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Viet Nam, the National Academy of Public Administration, the delegates, speakers and all involved parties for their enthusiastic support and contributions to the Conference’s success, working towards a brighter future for our countries and the world.
A group photo of Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh and state-level delegates attending the Conference.
A group photo of Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra and heads of state-level delegations attending the Conference.
A group photo of Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra and leaders of ministries, branches and former NAPA leaders.
The 2023 EROPA Conference attracts the participation of representatives of diplomatic agencies of 10 EROPA member states, international delegates, and a large number of scholars, managers and leaders of Vietnamese ministries and branches. This is the fourth time Viet Nam has hosted the Conference, aiming to introduce to the international community the achievements in administrative reform and innovation, as well as to share and exchange experiences with other countries on administrative management and public governance, and capacity development of public servants.
The 2023 EROPA conference will span over 5 days (from October 16 to October 20), with notable topics, such as Public governance for sustainable development goals; The role of public governance in socio-economic recovery and development towards sustainable development goals; Building public governance capacity to promote socio-economic recovery and development; renewal of public governance to promote socio-economic recovery and development; Renewal of local governance towards the sustainable development goals: International experience and implications for Viet Nam.
A group photo of international and Vietnamese delegates attending the 2023 EROPA Conference.
