Expressing pleasure at reuniting with Guterres in Ha Noi after over a year, General Secretary Lam thanked him and the UN for their unwavering support since Viet Nam joined the organisation in 1977, saying the Viet Nam-UN relationship is a standout success story now entering a new chapter.
He noted the significance of Guterres’ visit, which coincides with the UN’s 80th anniversary (October 24) and follows Viet Nam’s National Day (September 2). After 30 years of war and 20 years under blockade and embargo, Viet Nam has grown from a poor country reliant on UN aid to a nation that has achieved highly commendable accomplishments, he said, adding it is now making every effort for the common good, for peace and development, and for the well-being of its people.
According to the Party leader, Viet Nam is fully aware of its responsibility and stays ready to engage in addressing global challenges, including peacekeeping, conflict settlement, sustainable development, human rights protection, and climate change.
With a deep appreciation for the value of peace, Viet Nam supports the settlement of disputes and conflicts through peaceful means, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, he said, suggesting that the UN Secretary-General supports Viet Nam’s expanded role in UN peacekeeping operations, particularly amid a volatile global security landscape.
The host stressed Viet Nam’s people-centred approach, with a focus on stable, sustainable and long-term development through science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and environmental protection. He expressed Viet Nam’s willingness to share expertise and support other nations in economic growth, agriculture, health care, and education.
Thanking the UN and its member states for electing Viet Nam to the UN Human Rights Council for two consecutive terms, Party chief Lam said this is the clearest testament to Viet Nam’s commitments and achievements in ensuring the rights and well-being of its people.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared his special sentiments about each of his visits to Viet Nam, recalling memories of the country’s struggle for independence and unification, which he said paralleled Portugal’s fight against fascism and global movements for national liberation and decolonisation, as well as Viet Nam’s contribution to ending the Pol Pot regime.
He commended Viet Nam’s journey of overcoming the hardships of war, blockade and embargo to achieve impressive socio-economic growth, while fulfilling its commitments on climate change response and playing an increasingly important role across all three pillars of UN activity.
Expressing confidence in Viet Nam’s future, he said that under the leadership of Party General Secretary To Lam, the country will achieve the major goals it has set, including attaining double-digit growth in the coming years, and will assume a stronger and more influential role and voice in the international arena. It will actively contribute to strengthening multilateralism and reforming multilateral institutions so that developing and emerging economies can have a more commensurate and deserving role.
Describing Viet Nam as a key pillar of South-South cooperation and of a balanced, stable, multipolar world order based on international law, the UN Secretary-General hoped that Viet Nam will strongly support the balanced reform of the UN, continue development assistance activities, especially for developing countries, and oppose unilateral actions.
On global and regional issues, both sides agreed on the need to strengthen solidarity, promote dialogue and cooperation to prevent conflicts, and resolve disputes peacefully in line with the UN Charter and international law, highlighting the importance of regional organisations, particularly ASEAN, and ASEAN–UN cooperation.
Party General Secretary To Lam appreciated the UN Secretary-General’s kind words and reaffirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to work with the UN and the international community to build a peaceful, just, stable, and sustainably developing world.
