Vietnam supports UN's central role in multilateral international system

Addressing the High-level General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on countries to continue highlighting the role of the UN and join hands for a world of peace, equality and sustainable development.

Addressing the High-level General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, which took place from September 25 to October 1 in New York, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on countries to continue highlighting the role of the United Nations and join hands for a world of peace, equality and sustainable development.

Delivering a speech at the event themed “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies”, PM Phuc affirmed that the UN has truly become a symbol of global solidarity, the embodiment of humanity and progress, and where people’s aspirations to strive for a world of peace, prosperity and equality are realized.

Vietnam strongly supports the central role of the UN in the multilateral international system, and has actively joined efforts to realize the fundamental cooperation pillars of the UN: the maintenance of global peace and security, development cooperation, and the protection and promotion of human rights, he said.

As Vietnam has submitted its candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, PM Phuc thanked the 53 countries of the Asia-Pacific for endorsing Vietnam as the sole candidate of the region. On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, he wished to receive support of all member states. “Vietnam commits to being an active and responsible member of the international community and the United Nations”, he said.

On the sidelines of the event, PM Phuc had separate meetings with the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary General and leaders of Cuba, Bulgaria, Croatia, Fiji and Saint Lucia to discuss measures to boost Vietnam’s cooperation with the UN, and the five above-mentioned countries. He also joined a discussion with major US businesses and met US friends of Vietnam and representatives of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN and the Vietnamese community in New York.

Meeting with President of the UN General Assembly 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 prioritize 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 UN Secretary General 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.

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, expressing his hopes that 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 realizing 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.

On the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had bilateral meetings with the President of Palau, Foreign Ministers of Australia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uganda, and Ecuador, and the US Deputy Secretary of State. He also chaired a meeting with over 100 senior officials and diplomats of other countries to call for their support for Vietnam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in the 2020 - 2021 tenure.

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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a speech at the general debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on the sidelines of the debate.

He also meets with President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces.

The Vietnamese leader has a meeting with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

The Prime Minister meets with his Fijian counterpart Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.

He has a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov.

Prime Minister Phuc meets with Saint Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

He has a round table discussion with US businesses on attracting investment to Vietnam in Industry 4.0.

The Vietnamese leader meets with President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

He also meets US friends and representatives of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN and the Vietnamese community in New York.

On the sidelines of the debate, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah on September 27 co-chaired the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh chairs a program to call for support for Vietnam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.