In the message, the Vietnamese leader thanked the United Nations for the companionship and support of Vietnam's development over the past 45 years.

He reiterated Vietnam's support for multilateralism and the UN’s central role in responding to global challenges, while affirming that the country will continue to cooperate closely with the UN and further promote its active and constructive contribution to the common work for peace and sustainable development in the world and each country.

Vietnam engages in UN activities to promote multilateralism

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, led a delegation to a UN exhibition on 100 years of multilateralism that opened in Geneva on September 20.

The UN, founded in 1919 with the name of “League of Nations”, was the first international organisation with a view to developing cooperation among nations and to guarantee peace and security for them.

In 1920, the organisation established its seat in Geneva, and this marked the development of contemporary multilateral diplomacy. Over the past 100 years, multilateralism has evolved from the initial steps of the League to the complex and comprehensive work being done by the UN today.

To celebrate 100 years of multilateralism, UN Geneva has organised numerous activities together with member states, observers, international organisations, and other partners, including local authorities, civil societies, and the private sector. The aim was to highlight the evolution of multilateralism in various areas from the time of the League of Nations to the present day, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The exhibition shows historical documents and artifacts at the UN Library in Geneva, helping connect the public with current global issues. This is also an opportunity for the UN and its member states to promote peace through multilateralism, review lessons of the past as they look to the future together.

Since becoming an official member of the UN on September 20, 1977, Vietnam has supported and promoted multilateralism. The Vietnamese mission’s attending the exhibition showed the country’s strong commitments and efforts in upholding and strengthening multilateralism.

Over the past 45 years, from an underdeveloped country, Vietnam has become a middle-income one and a responsible partner of the  global organisation, taking on many responsibilities, making substantial and effective contributions to the largest multilateral organisation on the planet, and implementing most of the Millennium Development Goals, especially those on hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, gender equality, health and education.

Vietnam Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification Book re-released

The Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Programme, has re-released the Vietnam Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification Book.

The 2022 version includes information on two new species, updates on the maps of species’ distribution and on their conservation status, as well as recently promulgated wildlife protection laws.

This book serves as a vital resource to authorities, national parks and wildlife rescue centres, allowing them to identify and distinguish between Vietnam’s 26 native tortoise and freshwater turtle species. This assists in handling turtle violations and appropriately placing the reptiles in wildlife rescue centres or releasing them back into the wild.

Of the 26 endemic turtle species of Vietnam, 23 are listed as critically endangered and eight prohibited from commercial trade, according to the ENV.

In Vietnam, turtles are illegally traded and kept as a holy pet. They are also considered as nutritious food and a material for several products.

Gigantic folk dances to honour Xoe Thai

“Xoe Thai - Quintessence of the heritage land” will be the main theme in a programme for Xoe Thai to be honoured as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and the Mường Lò Culture- Tourism Festival, the Discovery Mù Căng Chải Terraced Fields 2022 which is slated for September 24.

The programme will be co-hosted by the four northern mountainous provinces of Yen Bai, Son La, Lai Chau, and Dien Bien, as all share the heritage.

According to organisers, the programme will be unique and epic, with splendid, majestic scenes, and a harmonious combination between gigantic folk dances and the symphony of heaven and earth.

It will see the participation of nearly 3,000 actors and artists, both professional and amateur, as well as famous singers.

Xoe Thai is a unique type of traditional dance that is associated with and plays a significant role in the daily life of Thai ethnic minority communities in the northwest of Vietnam. It is performed in various community activities, from festivals to funeral rituals.

An Giang province receives 44 illegal migrants from Cambodia

The border guard force and relevant agencies of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on September 20 received 44 Vietnamese nationals who were handed over by Cambodia.

According to Truong Quoc Hung, deputy head of the border station at Tinh Bien Border Gate, said the nine women and 35 men had entered Cambodia illegally to work in casinos.

Among them, there is a person who is wanted by police in Vinh Yen city, the northern province of Vinh Phuc, he said, adding that the border station is detaining the wanted man to hand over to Vinh Phuc police. 

The remaining 43 people have been transferred to the immigration office under the provincial Public Security Department to complete related procedures. 

Earlier on August 18, 40 Vietnamese nationals were detained by An Giang border guards for after illegally entering Vietnam from Cambodia. They said they fled forced labour at a casino in Sampeou Poun commune, Kaoh Thom district, Kandal province in Cambodia and swam across Binh Ghi River to return to Vietnam.

In investigating the case, the provincial police detected four suspected human trafficking rings. The police also arrested two suspects related to the case.

Da Nang’s ambulance journey management utility launched

An ambulance journey supervision and management utility has been launched on DanaMap or Danang Smart City app in the central city of Da Nang.

The utility allows the municipal Emergency Centre, the Health Department and residents to monitor the operation of ambulances, said Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications Tran Ngoc Thach.

Trung Nam company, producer of tablets under the programme “Waves and computers for children”, funded the installation of tablets on ambulances.

The department is also studying the launch of videos showing remote check-ups for patients on ambulances and a database of patients to help doctors check their disease history.

Following the pilot period from August 5 to September 15, nearly 2,500 ambulances have been up on the app.

Hanoi intensifies cooperation with UK, Irish localities

A delegation of Hanoi capital led by Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan is paying a working visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from September 19-22.

During their stay, the delegation worked with representatives from several agencies of London on planning and planning management, conservation of historical and cultural works, waste and wastewater treatment, environmental protection and public transport.

The delegation also had a working session with Jaewon Peter Chun, President at World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF), which is a non-profit organisation established to assist local governments and municipalities to solve current urban challenges by building and developing human-centric smart cities around the world.

At their meeting, Jaewon Peter Chun introduced Hanoi officials to the forum’s goals, models and technology applications in building smart cities over the world.

Tuan expressed his wish that the WSCF will continue to assisting Hanoi in its smart city construction and development, and assigned the city’s agencies to continue to research and propose specific models and solutions in the coming time.

Before arriving in the UK, the Hanoi delegation paid a working visit to Ireland from September 17-19, during which they held meetings with Chief Executive of Dublin City Owen P. Keegan and Mayor of Dublin City Carolin Conroy.

Training course held to enhance capacity building for UN military observers

A training course for United Nations military observers is underway with support from the United States’ Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

The course, which began on September 20, is organised by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Its aim is to train officers of the Vietnam People's Army who are about to join UN peacekeeping missions.

In addition to more than 20 Vietnamese trainees, the course sees six trainees from Mongolia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

During the three-week course, the trainees will be provided with basic knowledge about UN peacekeeping operations such as the principles and nature of UN peacekeeping operations as well as its entrusted tasks, organisational structure; command and control work; military-civilian coordination, human rights, and communication management related to the mission's performance.

Vice President of Thai Senate welcomed in HCM City

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan met with visiting Vice President of the Thai Senate Supachai Somcharoen on September 20.

The host said Vietnam and Thailand have been cooperating closely and supporting each other at multilateral forums to achieve mutual targets and help build a sustainable and prosperous ASEAN community.

On behalf of city leaders, he thanked the State and people of Thailand, especially Thai businesses and nationals in HCM City, for supporting local efforts against COVID-19.

Hoan noted his belief that the Thai Senate delegation’s visit will contribute to friendship and cooperation between Vietnam, including HCM City, and Thailand.

Hoang Su Phi Terraced Field Heritage Week returns

The Hoang Su Phi Terraced Field Heritage Week has returned to the mountainous province of Ha Giang after being postponed for two seasons due to COVID-19, with a wide range of attractive destinations now on offer.

According to organizers, the event will take place until the end of this month and feature many interesting activities, such as a Mong ethnic minority cultural festival and paragliding over the terraced rice fields.

Also included are sports activities and tours to local cultural and ecological sites throughout the district.

The terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi cover more than 3,700 hectares in 24 communes and towns. They were formed hundreds of years ago by the La Chi, Dao, and Nung ethnic minority communities.

September is the best time to visit Hoang Su Phi as its terraced rice fields glitter like gold during the harvest season.

International partners commit to help VN realising net zero emissions

International partners have committed to support Việt Nam in realising the goal of net zero emissions and energy transition as per the country’s commitment at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), according to Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà.

After the COP26 in 2021, in high-level meetings, the United Nations and development partners, during discussions with Vietnamese ministries and sectors, expressed their willingness to support Việt Nam in achieving the goal of net zero emissions and energy transition, Minister Hà noted at a recent conference.

Partners including the United Nations, the European Commission and development partners including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, Japan, China, South Korea, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Netherlands, United States; the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank were ready to support Việt Nam in energy transition and renewable energy; building and perfecting institutions, policies, strategies and master plans; as well as developing the carbon market, he said.

The partners also pledged to help Việt Nam in inventorying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; improving capacity and transferring technology; making financial support and helping reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, he said.

Hà also said that currently, Việt Nam was still facing difficulties in researching and deploying new technologies to ensure security and balance power sources, capture carbon and to produce renewable energy.

Therefore, in order to achieve the goal of bringing net emissions to "zero" by 2050, Việt Nam urgently needed the support of the international community.

At the conference, a representative of the European Union said that financial mechanisms and policies to mobilise capital would play a vital role in the development of future goals, especially technical and economic support.

A representative of the World Bank in Việt Nam said this would be a journey with many difficulties, many new factors, many challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the goal of achieving net zero emissions and energy transition.

Also at the conference, Hà said after COP26, the Government and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính ordered relevant ministries and sectors to deploy and update the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2022; develop and publish a report on the potential of offshore wind and wave energy in Việt Nam's seas; focus on building the National Strategy on Climate Change by 2050 and building the programme on green energy transition.

Plan to preserve ethnic minorities’ intangible cultures

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently issued a plan to hold seven programmes this year in the provinces of Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Dien Bien and Nghe An to support the preservation of ethnic minorities’ intangible cultures at risk of oblivion in tandem with local tourism development.

The move is expected to strengthen national solidarity, especially among youths, via various activities such as folk songs, dances and cultural rituals imbued with each minority’s identity, toward enhancing the role of village elders and chiefs, respected individuals and ethnic minority groups themselves.

As planned, the Department of Traditional Culture will work closely with units and localities to assist in the study, preservation and upholding of ethnic minorities’ intangible cultures, including the new rice festival of the Tay ethnic group in Yen Bai, Chuong and Rua dances of the Dao ethnic group in Phu Tho, the Du drum dance of the Muong ethnic group in Phu Tho, the  village sweeping ceremony of the Phu La ethnic group in Dien Bien, and folk songs and dances of the O Du ethnic group in Nghe An, among others.

The ministry also asked relevant departments and local authorities to work closely with the Department of Traditional Culture to effectively carry out the project.

Charitable houses presented to poor households along Vietnam-Cambodia border

A delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and National Council of the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodia on September 19 handed over 10 charitable houses and 300 packages of gifts to households living in extremely difficult circumstances along the Vietnam-Cambodia border.

This activity is part of the sixth international conference on building a Vietnam-Cambodia border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, which is scheduled to take place in Vietnam's Mekong Delta province of An Giang on September 20.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two neighbouring countries, having a long-standing traditional relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. The two countries share 1,137 km of land border that runs across 10 provinces of Vietnam and nine provinces of Cambodia.

Over the past years, the two countries have actively implemented contents of the Joint Communiqué on building a Vietnam-Cambodia border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development and achieved practical results.

Can Tho joins WWF’s global campaign for green growth

A seminar took place in Can Tho on September 19 to launch the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s ‘We Love Cities’ campaign in the Mekong Delta city for a greener future.

The global campaign, running from September 19 to October 31, aims to create a forum for cities pursuing sustainable development. Can Tho is the only representative of Vietnam among the 280 participating cities worldwide.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Van Thang, head of the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, lauded Can Tho’s active response to climate change, particularly its issuance of many policies on cutting greenhouse emissions and promoting energy efficiency.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Tan Hien said Can Tho always considers climate change response and environmental protection a key task of its entire political system.

A World Bank’s study showed that Vietnam is among the top five nations most affected by climate change. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recognised three deltas, including the Mekong Delta, as critically endangered due to climate change.

New expressway construction to start in Mekong Delta next year

Construction of the Châu Đốc- Cần Thơ- Sóc Trăng Expressway section in An Giang Province will start on April 30 next year, the province has said.

It will start at National Highway No.91 in the province’s Châu Đốc city and end at Trần Đề Port in Sóc Trăng, passing also through Hậu Giang Province and Cần Thơ City, all in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta.

It will have a total length of 188.2km and four lanes in the first phase, and is budgeted to cost VNĐ44.7 trillion (US$1.9 billion) with the money coming from the Government.

It will require 1,205ha of land.

Preparations for the construction have begun. The major sections are expected to be built by 2025, and the entire expressway by 2027.

In An Giang, it will run 57km in Châu Đốc city and the districts of Châu Phú, Châu Thành and Thoại Sơn, respectively meeting provincial road Nos. 945, 941 and 943 in the three districts. It will require nearly 380ha of ​​land, affecting 1,990 households, and cost VNĐ13.8 trillion ($581.2 million).

HCM City raises donations for naval soldiers, islanders in southwestern waters

More than 5.2 billion VND (219,600 USD) in cash and in kind was donated to officers and soldiers of Naval Region 5 and islanders in the southwestern seas of Vietnam on September 20.

The donations, including over 1 billion VND worth of goods and medical supplies, were symbolically presented by 19 businesses and organisations at a handover ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City.

President of the municipal Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Tran Kim Yen appreciated the assistance, saying over the past years, to support officers, soldiers and residents in the Truong Sa island district of Khanh Hoa province, islands in southwestern waters, and those performing duties on the DK1 platforms, the committee has carried out many practical activities, including donating patrol vessels, medical supplies, water supply systems, and solar power panels.

The donations reflect local sentiment for those living, working and safeguarding Vietnam’s sacred seas and islands, thus joining hands with the entire Party, army and people to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border and maritime security in the new context, she noted.

The donations will be delivered by a delegation from HCM City to Naval Region 5 and islands in the southwestern waters in late September.

Int'l workshop discusses emerging and re-emerging viral diseases

An international training workshop organised by Military Central Hospital 108 in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) themed "Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases" was opened in Hanoi on September 20.

During the four-day event, international experts from Germany, the Netherlands, France and Congo shared the latest research outcomes and lessons leant in diagnosing and treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases worldwide.

Experts from Europe, Africa and Vietnam will also discuss various important topics, including early infection management and control, emerging and re-emerging virus prevention and public health responses. They will also share knowledge on diagnosis, treatment and consulting on emerging and re-emerging diseases such as COVID-19, dengue, Japanese hepatitis, monkeypox and ebola.

The workshop is part of the PAN ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and Outbreak Preparedness (PACE-UP) project that DAAD funded. Established in 2020, the project aims to build a network of cooperation and improve the network's capacity to respond rapidly to dangerous infectious diseases that pose a risk of epidemics and pandemics.

Deputy PM orders intensified handling of IUU fishing at sea, ports

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has ordered coastal and border guards and police forces to step up patrols, inspections, and handling of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing at sea and in ports.

Making the order while chairing a meeting of the national steering committee on IUU fishing prevention and control on September 20, Thanh said it is also necessary to boost related communication efforts to raise fishermen’s awareness of the risks and harms of such violations.

He requested the immediate establishment of inter-sectoral delegations at central and local levels to inspect the situation for prompt detection of violations and the issuance of strict punishments.

The meeting welcomed the participation of 28 coastal provinces and cities, who heard the number of fishing vessels nationwide now amounts to 91,716. The rate of fishing vessels with a length from 15 meters already equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS) has so far reached 95.27%.

Since the fourth quarter of 2021, nearly 80,000 fishing boats have been inspected.

Stressing the importance of the removal of the European Commission’s ‘yellow card’ and avoidance of its ‘red card’ warnings, Thanh stated Party and State leaders are paying close attention to the issue and have had many discussions with EU leaders to show Vietnam’s determination to fight IUU fishing and ask the EC to remove the yellow card.

Quang Tri effectively mobilises funds from int'l organisations

The central province of Quang Tri has effectively raised funds from international organisations and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to improve healthcare and education and develop livelihoods for local residents, address war aftermaths, and respond to climate change.

According to the provincial Department of External Affairs, the World Vision International (WVI) has provided Quang Tri with an additional 9.8 million USD to finance its child protection, health and nutrition projects in the districts of Hai Lang, Huong Hoa and Dakrong from 2023 – 2027. The sum raised the total funding offered by WVI to the province since 2000 to 46 million USD.

WVI has also granted dozens of millions of USD to help the province improve living standards for poor households and disadvantaged people, particularly children.

Last month, Plan International Vietnam, CARE International in Vietnam and the Centre for Research on Initiatives of Community Development jointly launched a 2022 – 2023 project to improve the quality of life of especially disadvantaged ethnic minority communities in the communes of Ta Long, Ta Rut (Dakrong district), and Huong Loc, Lia and Ba Tang (Huong Hoa district), aiming to benefit thousands of people, mostly those with disabilities, children and women.

Since 1996, Quang Tri has mobilised more than 146 million USD from international organisations, such as PeaceTrees Vietnam, Mines Advisory Group, Clear Path International, and Norwegian People’s Aid, to tackle post-war bomb and mine consequences.

UN Summit: Vietnam highlights need to ensure fairness in quality education access

Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has highlighted a need to ensure fairness in access to quality education, integration and equality at all school levels in the next period.

Addressing the Transformation Education Summit in New York on September 19, the first day of the High-Level Week of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Son said following two years of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector needs to equip today and future generations with knowledge and skills to overcome challenges facing the world, thus contributing to fulfilling all UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Teaching methods and curricula may change, but the key is to help students with personal orientations, thus building a solid foundation with fundamental values throughout their lives, he said.

At the event, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed the need to protect the right to quality education for everyone, especially girls, everywhere; and to give a new focus on teachers’ roles and skillsets. Schools must become safe, healthy spaces, with no place for violence, stigma or intimidation.

The digital revolution must benefit all learners, he said, adding that none of the above will be possible without a surge in education financing and global solidarity.

He said development partners should reverse cuts and dedicate at least 15% of official development assistance to education. International financial institutions should make resources and fiscal space available for developing countries to invest, he said.

Festival to gather outstanding children from all ethnic groups

Outstanding children from all the 54 ethnic groups across the country will gather for the first time at the Children Festival that will take place in Hanoi and northern Phu Tho province from September 21-23.

Within the festival framework, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee and the Central Children Council will organise various activities for the children, including visits to Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Hanoi Puppetry Theatre.

The children will pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the leader’s mausoleum, meet Party and State leaders, and offer incense to Hung Kings at their temple in Phu Tho.

A ceremony to honour the 263 outstanding children will take place on September 23.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes