President Truong Tan Sang and the Vietnamese delegation attended the UN summit from September 24-28 and visited Cuba from September 28-30. These activities have exemplified Vietnam’s policy on global integration.

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President Truong Tan Sang and the Vietnamese delegation made practical recommendations during negotiations for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the 70th UN summit. President Sang’s visit to Cuba was a milestone in Vietnam-Cuba relations. The two events have introduced to the world Vietnam’s development policies and viewpoints on a number of issues.

Vietnam shares its development targets

On the first day of the UN summit, President Truong Tan Sang said Vietnam will concentrate all resources and mobilize ministries, sectors, and localities to fulfill the 2030 Agenda and the millennium development goals. He conveyed Vietnam’s stance on ensuring a peaceful, secure environment based on international law as a pre-condition for fulfilling sustainable development goals in any country. Countries must have a resolute political will to promote their own internal strength and potential, combine development goals with people-centered policies and strategies, and enhance global partnership.

Besides delivering a speech at the UN plenary session, President Sang made three presentations on Vietnam’s achievements in sustainable rural development, ensuring gender equality, and participation in UN peacekeeping forces. Partner countries see Vietnam as a symbol of the struggle for national independence and a model of socio-economic development.

Diversifying international relations

President Truong Tan Sang and the Vietnamese delegates conducted bilateral meetings with the heads of 20 countries to discuss issues of mutual concern and enhance bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly the UN.

They praised Vietnam’s achievements in poverty reduction and said Vietnam deserves to be nominated as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. They are confident Vietnam will continue to fulfill its MDGs and they want to work with Vietnam in implementing its SDGs until 2030.

While in the US, President Sang and the Vietnamese delegates met with American political leaders, scholars, representatives of the business community and overseas Vietnamese living in the US. Their activities have realized the vision presented in the Vietnam-US statement issued during Party leader Nguyen PhuTrong’s visit to the US last month.

President Sang’s visit to Cuba has reinforced solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, State, and peoples.

Defending national sovereignty in line with international law

At the UN summit and sidelines meetings, the Vietnamese representatives voiced Vietnam’s unswerving stance on its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. President Sang said Vietnam, together with ASEAN and partner countries, has strived to maintain and reinforce regional peace and security to create a favorable environment for sustainable growth, safety, and security of air and sea navigation in the East Sea region.

Vietnam insists on using peaceful measures to resolve disputes in the East Sea with respect for international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the soon-to-be-signed Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

The activities of President Truong Tan Sang and the Vietnamese delegation have elevated Vietnam’s status internationally and enhanced its relations with the UN and other countries.

VOV