Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (R) at a UN session

“Vietnam welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda, as highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report. We particularly applaud the increased participation of women and inclusion of gender perspective in all areas, from conflict prevention to peacebuilding, peace processes to reconstruction efforts,” the Ambassador said at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security in New York on October 25. 

Vietnam is also pleased to see the added impetus that last year’s high-level review has provided for the implementation of commitments in the women, peace and security agenda, she said. 

She added Vietnam believes that implementation lies first and foremost with states, but real success can only be assured by partnerships, especially with a better coordinated and well-resourced United Nations. 

Ambassador Nga expressed her concern over the continuing violence targeted at women and girls, especially those displaced by conflicts, emphasising “Vietnam condemns all acts of violence and abuse against women and girls.”

She called for strengthened efforts by the United Nations and member states in responding to this issue while urging the United Nations to strictly implement its zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. 

“Peace can only be sustained if conflicts can be prevented and addressed at their roots. Vietnam welcomes a stronger focus on conflict prevention, including peaceful dispute settlement and preventive diplomacy. Efforts should also focus on the socio-economic development, post-conflict peacebuilding, recovery, and reconstruction, as affirmed in Resolution 1889, introduced by Vietnam and unanimously adopted by the Security Council in 2009, she said. 

The Ambassador affirmed Vietnam fully recognizes the crucial role of women in conflict prevention and settlement, state-building, sustaining peace, and socio-economic development. For centuries, Vietnamese women not only fought valiantly for the country’s freedom and independence but also worked hard and contributed significantly to the recovery and development of the country towards stability, sustainable development, and international integration. 

“Today, as part of our commitment to United Nations peacekeeping, Vietnamese women officers are taking part in training and making necessary preparations to be deployed in the near future in UN peacekeeping missions,” she stressed.-VNA