Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Organisations Do Hung Viet (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Promoting the role of regional organisations insettling disputes is one of the three priorities that Vietnam has set for themonth it serves as chairman of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in April, said Directorof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International OrganisationsDo Hung Viet.
In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Viet said that Vietnam willserve as the rotary Chairman of the UNSC for the second time during its2020-2021 tenure as a non-permanent member, which is an important task for thecountry.
The country has made thorough consideration in setting thethree priorities to ensure that they suit the interests and concerns of bothVietnam and the international community.
According to Viet, regional organisations are importantpartners in addressing regional issues, because they have good understanding ofthe relations between countries in the region as well as regional history andculture. Therefore, they could make specific and practical contributions to thesearch for solutions to regional problems.
The second priority is the settlement of bomb and mine consequences, which isboth a global issue and a matter of significance to Vietnam.
Viet cited statistics that showed some 60 countries worldwide are affected by unexplodedordnances, with around 15,000 people injured or dead every year.
The third priority during Vietnam’s chairmanship is to protect infrastructureessential for residents in conflicted areas.
A meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (Photo: VNA) When serving as chair of the UNSC for the first time during the tenure inJanuary 2020, Vietnam had skillfully and effectively handled the differencesamong countries, following its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance,diversification and multilateralisation, according to Viet. He added that Vietnamhas good relations with many countries worldwide, including the UNSC permanent members.This is a favourable condition for the nation to carry out missions of a UNSCChair.
However, the official said formidable challenges are ahead due to complicateddevelopments of global and regional politics and security. In addition, theCOVID-19 pandemic has forced the UNSC switch its meetings and discussions fromin-person to online format, which pose certain difficulties to the process ofexchange, discussion and negotiation.
He added that Vietnam had considerable experience in holding online conferencesduring its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, so the country is confident it canexcellently perform its role as the UNSC Chair next month.
As an active and prestigious ASEAN member, Vietnam will also work to promoteASEAN roles at the UNSC, he said, adding Vietnam will invite Brunei – the ASEANChair in 2021 to attend a UNSC meeting on the role of regional organisations inpreventing disputes, where it will highlight ASEAN’s efforts in boosting trustand enhancing dialogues to tackle regional issues./.
