Multilateral diplomacy must deepen foundations for national development: PM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn said that Việt Nam began its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in  二0 二0- 二0 二 一. Since then, there has been both advantages and major challenges in both the region and the world, particularly the ongoing COVID- 一 九 pandemic.

Under these circumstances, over the last two years the UNSC has handled a great workload with  八 四0 meetings at the ambassadorial level and thousands of consultations at different levels. The UNSC adopted a total of  二 五 四 documents and discussed more than  六0 issues spanning all continents and non-traditional security matters, especially climate changes, COVID- 一 九 and maritime security.

The minister said with a consistent message of being “a partner for sustainable peace,” Việt Nam joined the council in an active, positive spirit with a high sense of responsibility, and made practical contributions to the council’s work.

Reviewing the legacy Việt Nam has left in the UNSC, Sơn said that the country has helped promote a multilateral approach and uphold international law, as well as the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, while pushing for sustainable and comprehensive solutions to conflicts, including the settlement of conflict consequences for the long-term development of countries.

The country has worked to spread humanity and increase the protection of civilians, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children, in conflicts and to strengthen cooperation between the UN and the UNSC with regional organisations in maintaining peace and international security, as well as increasing the central role and presence of the ASEAN at the council.

According to Sơn, Việt Nam proposed solutions to many global issues, especially non-traditional security matters such as climate change, maritime security, and pandemic response – evidenced by the two initiatives Việt Nam launched, A Group of Friends on the  一 九 八 二 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the International Day of the Epidemic Preparedness marked on December  二 七 every year, along with Việt Nam’s increasing number of military officers deployed to join UN peacekeeping missions in conflict-hit areas across the world.

He said that with this legacy, Việt Nam’s tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC was a step forward in implementing the diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification as well as active, extensive and effective international integration, thus further enhancing the position and prestige of Việt Nam in the world arena. — VNS