Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s remarks at UNGA high-level meeting to mark UN’s 75th anniversary

Within the framework of the high-level General Debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 75), a high-level meeting to mark the UN’s 75th anniversary was held on September 21 with the participation of 137 senior leaders and 33 ministers of UN member states.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. (Photo: VNA)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, word leaders addressed the event via pre-recorded video statements.

The following is the full text of the message delivered by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at this special meeting.

“Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the UN at a very special time when pride in the growth of the UN is interwoven with worries about uncertainty and the pandemic which is spreading widely on the planet.

From the ashes of war, after 75 years, the world has not witnessed a new world war. Peace, cooperation and friendship have been cultivated; poverty and diseases have been repelled; and human life has been changing for the better.

Such immense achievements could not have been attained without being based on the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and without the UN – a common coordination centre for the actions of all countries.

The world is facing unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, together with uncertainty, conflict, great-power competition, power politics and climate change, is threatening the peace and sustainable development of nations.

There is a Vietnamese saying which goes “As fire tests gold, so do hardship test one’s resolve”. The greater the challenge we face, the more we need to unite, cooperate, strengthen the UN-centred multilateralism, strictly abide by the UN Charter and international law, thoroughly respect independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each nation, and put the people at the heart of all developmental endeavours so that no one will be left behind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Going through the decades of struggling for the truth “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom” and the 35 years of implementing the people-centred Doi Moi (Renewal) process, Vietnam is now developing confidently and dynamically, restructuring the economy, proactively integrating into the world, responsibly participating in many multilateral forums, especially the UN, and pushing hard for the goal of a strong country with wealthy people and a fair, democratic and civilised society.

With our own efforts and thanks to cooperation with countries and international organisations, to date, we have basically put COVID-19 under control and gradually recovered the momentum of rapid economic development.

I take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to fellow UN member states for entrusting Vietnam with a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. Vietnam is exerting utmost efforts to successfully fulfil this responsibility. As Chair of ASEAN 2020, Vietnam is joining other members to push hard for the building of a united, resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community.

We in Vietnam are determined to work with all nations worldwide to maintain peace and successfully realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Vietnamese flag will be flying at even more UN peacekeeping missions around the globe.

I am fully confident that with strong determination and joint actions, we will together build a peaceful world and a bright future for all.

Thank you for your kind attention.”