Vietnam attends SEANWFZ, AICHR meetings in Singapore

Hanoi (VNA) - A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung has attended the Executive Committee of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ)’s conference and the meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and representatives from the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

The two meetings convened in Singapore on August 1 in the framework of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-51) and related meetings.
  
Speaking at the events, Deputy FM Dung, who is also head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, emphasised that the AICHR should further improve its efficiency, and actively propose and implement practical activities to contribute to building a people-centred ASEAN Community and maintaining the group’s key role in promoting cooperation activities.

ASEAN should also continue cooperation efforts in the fight against nuclear proliferation, and put the SEANWFZ into force, for the peaceful life of the people, as well as for peace, security and stability in the region, he noted.

At the meeting between ASEAN FMs and AICHR representatives, participants heard a report by the AICHR’s representatives and acknowledged positive results that the commission has made in promoting cooperation on regional human rights-related issues, including many practical activities to support people with disabilities, prevent human trafficking, and raise public awareness of human rights.

Ministers discussed the AICHR’s activities planned for 2019 and given opinions on the orientation for the commission’s operation in the coming time.

They agreed that the AICHR should continue to abide by ASEAN's guiding principles, assure the leading role of ASEAN in regional cooperation on human rights, strengthen coordination and close linkages with ASEAN’s specialised channels, and ensure effective use of resources.

At the SEANWFZ meeting, ASEAN member nations continued to affirm their commitment to maintaining a nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asian region, while welcoming the positive progresses made by the bloc last year in engaging in international treaties and conventions on preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction; and in implementing the SEANWFZ Plan of Action.

Ministers also discussed remaining issues related to the SEANWFZ Treaty, the joining of countries owning nuclear weapons in the signing of the Treaty’s Protocol, as well as measures to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and international partners and organisations on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and development.

The AMM-51 will officially kick off on August 2 along with the Ministers’ Meeting on Mekong - Langang Cooperation (MLC) and the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.-VNA