New York (VNA) - The UN Security Council (UNSC) satdown on June 3 to discuss the issue of chemical weapons in Syria and unanimouslyadopted two Resolutions regarding the situation in Sudan and Libya, withVietnam affirming its consistent stance in support of the non-proliferationand disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical ones.
The event heard updates on the issue by Director-Generalof the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) FernandoArias and UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu.
Participants focused their discussions on the investigationinto the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria; as well as technicalcooperation between the OPCW Secretariat and Syria in resolving differencesrelated to Syria's initial declaration in accordance with the Chemical WeaponsConvention (CWC).
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, deputy head of Vietnam’s Mission tothe UN, shared the UNSC’s common concerns regardingreports on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.
He emphasised the need to maintain close and continuouscooperation between the OPCW Secretariat and Syria in promoting theimplementation of the CWC and resolving any disagreements and backlog issues.
The ambassador also called on the international community tostrengthen cooperation and constructive dialogue to assist the finding of a lastingsolution to the Syria issue.
At the meeting, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2578 to extendfor another year a series of authorisations laid out in Resolution 2526 (2020).
Those measures — first agreed in Resolution 2292 (2016) —allow States, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspectvessels on the high seas bound to or from Libya, given reasonable grounds tobelieve that they are in violation of the council’s arms embargo.
Also by unanimously adopting Resolution 2579 (2021), the councildecided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Integrated TransitionAssistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). UNITAMS, as part of an integrated andunified UN structure, shall — in full accordance with the principles ofnational ownership — continue a set of strategic objectives, including assistingSudan’s political transition, providing technical assistance to itsconstitution drafting process; and supporting the implementation of the humanrights and rule of law provisions of the Constitutional Document./.