Vo Van Thuong, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Executive Committee, made the statement at the opening ceremony of the 17th Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), which will run through Mar. 14 in Ha Noi.

The secretary expressed his gratitude to young people all over the world for their help through the WFDY and its member organisations' activities during Viet Nam's past struggle for national liberation and the country's current process of national defence and construction.

"The assistance has been an important factor behind every developmental achievement in Viet Nam," he said.

Addressing the ceremony, WFDY President Miguel Alexandre Sousa Catarino Madeira said: "the Assembly - a forum of collective discussion, contribution of opinions and actions, and friendship - is going raise the awareness of the political, economic and social situation of young people all over the world, strengthening the WFDY even more as an anti-imperialist, progressive, democratic and massive international non-governmental youth organisation."

He highly appreciated the commitment and efforts of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Communist Party of Viet Nam to provide all of the necessary facilities for a successful assembly.

The Assembly, entitled "Let's reinforce the struggle against imperialist aggression and exploitation for peace, solidarity and social transformation," is being attended by 160 delegates from 40 countries. It will focus on reviewing WFDY's operation in the previous term and discuss its tasks in the future.

As part of the event, participants will meet the Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, join the forum "Viet Nam on the path towards socialism", exchange with students from the University of Technology and visit disabled children. About 20 bilateral meetings between youth organisations will also take place during the event.

Viet Nam joined WFDY in 1946 and since then it has actively attended the organisation's activities, making important contribution to progressive and democratic youth's movements all over the world.