At the election (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese AmbassadorNguyen Hong Thao was re-elected to the International LawCommission (ILC) for the 2023-2027 tenure on November 12 with 145 out of 191 votes, ranking fourth among 11 candidates from Asia-Pacific.
The ILC is an independent body of the UN, and specialises in developing and codifying international law, and reporting to the UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee. It is composed of 34 members who are elected by UN member states every five years via secret ballot.
In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency at the UN headquarters following his re-election, Ambassador Thao expressed hispride in getting a chance to make further contributions to Vietnam’s position, thusmeeting international friends’ expectation for Vietnam’s role in buildinginternational law to address disputes and promote cooperation among nations.
He pledged to make greater efforts during his second tenureto heighten Vietnam’s stature on international arena.
Heattributed his success in the re-election to international friends’ deep impressionon Vietnam’s the two resistance wars, aswell as the country's achievements in the Doi Moi (renewal) process over the past 35 years.
Thaosaid countries also highly value Vietnam’s consistent external policy of independence andself-reliance, being a friend of all countries. The final factor is the month-longcampaigning process in New York, capitals of countries and other representativeagencies in the UN.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao (L) at the election (Photo: VNA)
However, the most important factor is Vietnam’s rising stature, he said. This year,Vietnam continues serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Counciland has made contributions to peace processes worldwide.
During the 2017-2022 tenure, Ambassador Thao was the first Vietnamese to be elected to the ILC.He actively joined and offered ideas to the committee's important discussions regardingenvironment protection in armed conflicts, atmosphere protection, response to rising sealevel and international law.
Thao earned a doctorate degree on law from the University of Paris 1Pantheon-Sorbonne and previously held important positions such as ViceChairman of the National Border Commission and head of the Vietnamese delegations to negotiations on border agreements with neighbouring countries of Vietnam./
