Ambassador Nathalie Estival-Broadhurst, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the UN (Photo: onu.delegfrance.org)

She told the Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview that Vietnam performed its duties very well, especially during the month it served as the rotational UNSC presidency in January, when it held an open debate on the UN Charter and highlighted the role of regional organisations like ASEAN at the UNSC.

The diplomat noted that Vietnam is a strong partner in the UNSC and also a traditional partner of France in the International Organisation of the Francophonie, adding that the two countries have cooperated effectively.

Vietnam is also chairing the South Sudan Sanctions Committee, a large and important committee at the UNSC, and has performed this role very well.

2020 has been full of challenges for the UNSC, especially the five permanent members (P5), as there have been a large number of issues needing to be resolved and which require consensus among all members.

However, she said, the UNSC has seen progress in certain issues, including a lasting ceasefire in Libya and positive outcomes in the settlement of the Yemeni and Afghan issues.

When asked about efforts by the P5 countries, including France, to bridge disagreements, the ambassador said there are many differences in the UNSC, not only among the P5 countries but also the 10 non-permanent members (E10), as it is an inter-governmental multilateral mechanism. The UNSC, meanwhile, needs consensus to release a resolution on any issue.

UNSC members always strive to tackle disagreements and seek compromise on each issue, and this is the way to reach consensus, she noted, stressing that Resolution No 2532, which calls for a global ceasefire, demonstrates the enormous efforts of the P5 and E10 countries and is a success for the UNSC.

Confronting challenges is a common responsibility for the UNSC, and each of its members has made efforts in a spirit of goodwill to reach consensus, which is a major necessity as the French diplomat forecasts that the council will face numerous challenges in 2021./.VNA