At a meeting of the UNGA's 77th session (Photo: VNA) As 2023 is a volatile year with a series of conflicts, new and existing challenges intertwined, and complicated global security, Giang said against this backdrop, Vietnam continuesto prove itself as a responsible member that effectively contributes to the UN’scommon efforts. Its meaningful contributions have stood out as Vietnam has upheldits stance on supporting peace, development, respect for international law,multilateralism, and most importantly, highlighting the importance offollowing the UN Charter across all pillars, from peace, security todevelopment and protection of human rights.
According to him, a highlight of Vietnam's diplomacy in 2023 isits successful assumption of the position of Vice President of the UN GeneralAssembly (UNGA)’s 77th session from September 2022 - September 2023.Vietnam has actively proposed and planned crucial decisions on various globalissues, especially in the context that the UNGA has to handle an exceptionallybusy agenda, possibly the busiest in many years.
Notably, Vietnam has chaired several UNGA’s sessions, discussed andpassed a resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Courtof Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of states with respect to climate change,the High Seas Treaty, and resolutions on holding high-level meetings on pandemic prevention, preparednessand response. It has worked with other countries to propose initiatives andsolutions on various major issues, coordinated and directly negotiated thedrafting of documents. In particular, Vietnam has contributed ideas and initiativesto various ongoing processes at the UN to guide future directions, and continued playing an active role as a member of ASEAN, G-77, leading the Groupof Friends on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). All thesepartnership relations have solidified Vietnam's diplomatic position at the UNforum, he said.
He added that this year, Vietnam continues making significantcontributions in its capacity as a member of the UN Human Rights Council forthe 2023-2025 tenure, the International Law Commission (2023-2027), the UNESCOExecutive Board (2021-2025), and the Inter-Governmental Committee for theSafeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2022-2026).
On peace-security, Vietnam has always actively stepped up joint effortsto enhance the role of the UN, and build a global governance system based on therule of law and respect to the UN Charter and widely-recognised internationalstandards. In the context of increasing strategic competition and confrontations,and numerous challenges to multilateral cooperation, it has incessantlycalled for strengthening trust, increasing solidarity and international responsibility,promoting dialogue and mutual understanding to peacefully settle all disputes,for the common goal of peace, national independence, democracy and progress inthe world. Vietnam has proactively contributed to and expanded its participation inUN peacekeeping activities, playing a part in preventing conflicts and buildingpeace, particularly in hotspots in Africa, he said.
In terms of development, Giang stressed that Vietnam continuesto demonstrate a strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment. It has been joining various core groups while proposing,coordinating, and negotiating numerous initiatives and cooperation documents oneducation, health care, water resource protection, energy transition, andclimate change adaptation. Vietnam remains actively engaged in implementing theJust Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), striving to achieve net-zeroemissions by 2050.
Vietnam continues actively cooperating with UN mechanisms onhuman rights, defending national reports under the Universal Periodic Review(UPR) mechanism, and reports on the implementation of international humanrights conventions of which it is a member.
Vietnam also continues affirming a strong commitment topromoting multilateralism, with the UN at the centre, respecting thefundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law. This includesupholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, prioritisingdialogue over confrontation, and peacefully settling disputes.
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at COP28 World Climate Action Summit (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese diplomat cited UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers as saying that Vietnam isan active, proactive and responsible member in multilateral processes.
Forecasting a highly complex scenario with numerousuncertainties next year, Giang said Vietnam will continue stepping up its foreignpolicy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversificationof external ties; comprehensive, extensive and effective global integration.
Vietnam will actively prepare for and contribute to major UNprocesses, including the Summit of the Future, the high-level General Debate ofthe UNGA’s 79th session, the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in January 2024; seriously fulfill its internationalcommitments; and continue upholding its role as a member of crucial UNmechanisms.
The achievements and hallmarks that have been attained serve asa foundation to take pride in and believe that Vietnam today is not only readyto be a reliable, constructive and responsible partner of the global communitybut also possesses the expertise and resources necessary to shoulderresponsibilities commensurate with the country's new stature, Giangconcluded./.
VNA
