Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 28 (Vietnam time) had separate meetings with President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as part of his activities during the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces

Meeting with Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to relations with the UN, and supports the central role played by the UN. 

He suggested the UN prioritise promoting preventive diplomacy, and support the settlement of of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures based on international law. He stressed Vietnam will contribute to the common efforts of the UN, and responsibly participate in UN initiatives on development and peace maintenance.

While meeting with Antonio Guterres , PM Phuc lauded the efforts of the Secretary General in reshuffling the UN, especially the UN development system, which aims to better support member countries in implementing the Agenda  on Sustainable Development to 2030. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres 

He expressed his hope that the UN will continue supporting Vietnam in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris agreement on climate change. 

For his part, Guterres thanked Vietnam for its contributions to performing the UN’s work as well as initiatives to reform the forum’s operation, saying that he hopes Vietnam will continue to lead in achieving SDGs. 

He also expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s recent socio-economic achievements, affirming that the UN will continue to support Vietnam on its way to realising SDGs. 

The UN Secretary General voiced concern about East Sea-related issues, while asserting the UN’s consistent policy of supporting the settlement of  disputes peacefully and in line with international law. -VNA