Vietnam wants to better help address non-traditional security issues at multilateral forums

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a symposium to discuss ways to strengthen Vietnam’s contribution to addressing non-conventional security challenges at multilateral forums on November 23.

Chaired by Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang, the event was part of a series of activities to prepare for the upcoming 31st Diplomatic Conference.

In his remarks, Giang said Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy has seen encouraging progress in all three pillars – Party-to-Party diplomacy, State-to-State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

This symposium aims to prepare for the 31st Diplomatic Conference, which will focus on promoting multilateral diplomacy in the new context and addressing non-conventional security challenges, he said.

Climate change, epidemics, food security, energy security, water security, cyber-security, terrorism, transnational crimes, among others, are alarming issues globally which are adversely impacting the country’s development, he noted, stressing the necessity to further enhance the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy in tackling them.

Vietnam has achieved various successes in multilateral diplomacy over the previous years, he said, but several aspects still need improvements, for example, coordination between ministries and agencies, development of suitable visions and strategies in participating in multilateral mechanisms, proposal of policies and initiatives to bolster cooperation at multilateral forums, and how to balance national interests and those of the international community.

Vietnam has constantly stepped up bilateral relations with regional and global powers and played a part in promoting global peace and development, he continued. Vietnam has been highly regarded internationally for its contribution at multilateral forums and strong commitments to UN operations, particularly peacekeeping mission./.