2020 has many meanings for Vietnam. According to political observers, in 2020, with the dual role of ASEAN Chairman and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam will have many open opportunities to take full advantage of promoting the national position on international arena, seizing opportunities for extensive international integration and resources for national development, creating conditions to better ensure human rights.

It seems that these opinions are grounded because with both responsibilities in 2020, Vietnam considers people as the center to develop its action plans.

Vietnam identifies the theme "Cohesion and proactive adaptation" for the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 and "Vietnam: A reliable partner for sustainable peace" as it takes on the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

With these topics, at both forums, Vietnam will join member countries, friends and partners to promote the common interests of the region and the international community, which are peace, cooperation and development; Promote the role of multilateralism, the UN Charter and the basic principles of international law for a more peaceful, just and better world; Proactively and actively contribute to addressing global and regional challenges, especially those that directly affect the interests of countries and the region such as peace, security, stability, sustainable development, climate change, sea level rise, overcoming the consequences of war, post-conflict reconstruction...

ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020: "Cohesion and proactive adaptation"

The Press conference on Vietnam's ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship Year.

The selection of this topic demonstrates Vietnam's consistent commitment to the role of strengthening solidarity, unity and inner strength, sticking to the people and taking the people as the center.

On that basis, Vietnam will promote five priorities, including: Promoting ASEAN's role and active contribution to the maintenance of a peaceful, secure and stable environment in the region on the basis of strengthening solidarity, unify of ASEAN; promoting the spirit of attachment, mutual support among member countries; improving ASEAN's common stance in dealing with regional and international issues; promoting the formation and compliance of rules and norms of common conduct in relations between nations; responding promptly and effectively to challenges that threaten peace, security and stability in the region.

Promoting regional linkage and connectivity, improving adaptation and taking advantage of the opportunities of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, whereby deep economic links and comprehensive connectivity within the region and with partners; promoting sustainable and inclusive economic, financial and social growth on the basis of innovation and application of digital technologies and new technologies; pursuing efforts to narrow the development gap; building high quality human resources; strengthening social services for vulnerable people and groups; modernizing public administration; building green environment...

Promoting ASEAN community awareness and identity, creating common values of ASEAN and widely disseminating them among the people, promoting awareness and recognition of the ASEAN Community in diversity, enhancing the image of ASEAN community in the region and around the world.

Promoting partnerships for peace and sustainable development with countries around the world, promoting the role and contribution of ASEAN in the international community; expanding and enhancing relationships with partners around the globe, contributing to the formation of the new structure and new rules of the region and the world.

And, improving the adaptive capacity and operational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus through institutional reform, enhancing the operational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus; adjusting, perfecting and upgrading the processes and standards in ASEAN.

Non-permanent member of the UN Security Council: "Vietnam: A reliable partner for sustainable peace"

Vietnam’s 2nd field hospital is now in South Sudan on the mission of peacekeeping.

Joining in the UN peacekeeping activities is an opportunity to prove that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community, a responsible member for the peacekeeping efforts of the mankind.

Vietnam will assume the position of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from January 1, 2020. One of Vietnam's priorities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is to increase peacekeeping activities.

Speaking to the media, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in charge of peace activities, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix praised Vietnam as a country that actively supports the United Nations, especially in its international peacekeeping activities.

This is most evident in two points: Vietnam actively and continuously participates in initiatives related to peacekeeping and Vietnam has sent forces to directly participate in peacekeeping activities in the field, especially in hot spots like South Sudan.

On November 19, group 2 of the 2nd level Field Hospital left Vietnam to South Sudan to perform the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. Since 2014, Vietnam has sent nearly 30 army officers to African countries such as South Sudan and the Central African Republic to perform international obligations while studying the situation and doing preparation work.

So far Vietnam has just joined the military medical field. The plan is by 2020 Vietnam’s engineering forces will join the UN peacekeeping missions. The work of the engineers is different from the military medical forces, where as the number can be up to 300 people. In an interview with the media, Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said; "Currently, the United Nations has asked Vietnam to send more forces to the UN peacekeeping force, but I emphasizes that Vietnam only sends a number of other forces such as security forces, information forces".

"Vietnam's policy is to only participate in peacekeeping activities when there is a Resolution of the United Nations Security Council, in areas where there has been a peace agreement between the parties concerned, activities for the purpose of peace, humanitarian, rebuilding, not participating in coercive missions and combat operations," said Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh.

Minh Van