The Veterans’ Association of Vietnam hands over the VECONAC Chairmanship to the War Veterans Organisation of Thailand on December 15 (Photo: qdnd.vn)   

NDO/VNA – The 20th General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC-20) took place via videoconference on December 15 under the chair of Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Veterans’ Association of Vietnam (VAVN).

The event reviewed the implementation of the resolutions issued at the VECONAC-19, considered the ones of the 20th General Assembly, voted on the next Chair of VECONAC, and adopted a joint communique of the VECONAC-20.

VECONAC, established on December 19, 1980, is tasked with gathering and promoting efforts by veterans’ associations in Southeast Asia to work for the sake of veterans, including injured ones and their families, thereby contributing to regional and global peace, stability, harmony, and development.

Duoc said VECONAC members have carried out more and more initiatives such as exchanging delegations, sharing information and knowledge, and taking part in support programmes, which has practically benefited veterans, especially the elderly persons getting injured in wartime. Those activities have also helped veterans in the region become closer and enhance solidarity, friendship, and mutual understanding for peace, security, and prosperity of each country and the region as a whole.

On behalf of the VAVN - a member of the confederation since 1997, he handed over the VECONAC Chairmanship for 2022 to Gen. Santasana Nantibhakhirund, Director-General of the War Veterans Organisation of Thailand.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Duoc affirmed that it was the VAVN’s honour to serve as the VECONAC Chair since January 1, 2020, and it has fulfilled the assigned duties, including successfully organising the VECONAC Working Committee meeting on October 20 last year, along with the VECONAC 33rd Executive Board Meeting and the VECONAC-20 on December 15, 2021.

He attributed the success to the strong political resolve by leaders of the veterans’ organisations of the 10 member countries, as well as tireless efforts by all delegates to the General Assembly.