Vietnam continues its active and effective contributions to promoting global peace and cooperation

From January 1, 2020, Vietnam will officially assume the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure, holding the UNSC presidency right in the first month of the year.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (right, second row), express their joy after the results from the voting showed that Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 -2021 term, New York, USA, June 7, 2019. (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (right, second row), express their joy after the results from the voting showed that Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 -2021 term, New York, USA, June 7, 2019. (Photo: VNA)

Serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the second time, Vietnam continues to have the chance to contribute to world peace, security and development, as well as to strongly implement its foreign policy and elevate its multilateral diplomacy in service of national development.

On the sidelines of the recent Itinerant University of Peace held by Leaders for Peace in Hanoi, some personalities of the organisation gave their comments and recommendations concerning such an important event of Vietnam.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and President of Leaders for Peace

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Raffarin hailed 2020 as a crucial year in Vietnam’s foreign affairs, with the country to take the dual role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UNSC. He highlighted Vietnam’s abundant experience in international activities, as well as its thorough preparations for the assumption of important roles. Regarding the expectations for Vietnam’s upcoming UNSC tenure, Raffarin said the country should accelerate cooperation between the council and regional organisations, firstly with ASEAN. With its high prestige in ASEAN and effective contributions to the international community’s common affairs, Vietnam is quite suitable for such responsibility, he stated. In addition, Vietnam should work to improve the relationship between the people and international organisations so that the people can better understand the organisations and the organisations can better meet the needs of the people, according to Raffarin. Last but not least, he suggested due attention be paid to boosting structural reforms, stating that multilateral institutions help to promote peace, but are “old”, so changes are needed to adapt to the new context.

Ouided Bouchamaoui, former leader of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts and winner of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize

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Tunisia has represented Africa to take on the role of a non-permanent member of the UNSC a number of times, during which the country worked hard to strengthen the relationship between the UN, especially the UNSC, and regional organisations, such as the African Union (AU) or the European Union (EU), Bouchamaoui said. She stated that members of the UNSC need to take action to spread the message of peace and dialogue throughout the world, especially in the context of war with many forms and colours today, such as trade conflicts and the fight against terrorism and unilateralism. She expressed her belief that Vietnam will effectively fulfill its role at the UNSC.

Elisabeth Decrey, former Member of Parliament and President of Geneva Call (Switzerland)

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Decrey said she found that Vietnamese female students were very active during the recent conversations. This shows the increasing role of women in Vietnam. Despite being born after the war, the young Vietnamese are still aware of the post-war wounds and aftermath, she said, stating that peace is not a forever-lasting achievement, but requires daily action to be preserved. According to the founder of Geneva Call, the only way to protect and achieve a sustainable peace is to promote multilateralism and dialogue.

Kabiné Komara, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea Conakry, High Commissioner to Senegal River Basin Development Organisation (OMVS)

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Komara said there are many tasks set for Vietnam in its upcoming tenure at the UNSC. On the international domain, Vietnam needs to promote global issues such as the environment and anti-pollution efforts, while accelerating the implementation of international commitments, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, he stated. The high commissioner to OMVS suggested that Vietnam take long-term measures to deal with domestic issues in line with the common trend of multilateralism in the world. He voiced his hopes that Vietnam will prioritise promoting the issues of peace and sustainable environment during its upcoming tenure at the UNSC.

Seven priorities of Vietnam at the UNSC during 2020-2021:

* Prevent conflict, promote preventive diplomacy, and peacefully settle disputes in accordance with Article 6 of the UN Charter;

* Renovate the UNSC’s working style and strengthen the cooperation between the UNSC and regional organisations, pursuant to Article 8 of the UN Charter;

* Humanitarian issues, protection of civilians, and protection of essential infrastructure for the lives of people in conflict areas;

* Issues concerning women, peace and security, and children in armed conflict;

* Address the consequences of conflicts, including the risks of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from conflicts;

* UN peacekeeping operations;

* The impacts of climate change on international peace and security.