The official made the remark during an international press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on December 12 concerning Vietnam’s official assumption of a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for the 2020-2021 term.
Speaking at the event, Deputy FM Trung said that in June 2019, with a record high number of 192 votes out of the 193 UN member nations, Vietnam officially became a non-permanent member of the UNSC. This shows the recognition of the international community concerning Vietnam’s efforts in integration and promoting international relations, as well as the country’s foreign policy towards supporting the common issues of the international community’s concern.
“By participating in the UNSC, Vietnam may have an important opportunity to implement the Party and State’s foreign policy of promoting peace, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification. Vietnam wishes to be an active, responsible member in the international community,” Trung stated.
According to the deputy FM, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Vietnam wishes to contribute to promoting the Council’s leading role of maintaining international peace and security, specifically preventing conflicts and helping to resolve crisis issues, as well as to improving the efficiency of the body’s operations and promoting a number of issues of Asia-Pacific nations’ concern, such as protecting civilians in armed conflicts, post-conflict reconstruction, women and peace-security. Along with that, Vietnam wishes to take the occasion to accelerate its partnership with countries in the UNSC and other countries.
During its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Vietnam will have two months serving as the council’s president, in January 2020 and April 2021.
At the press conference, Deputy FM Trung answered reporters’ queries regarding Vietnam’s priority issues during its two months of holding the UNSC presidency, the advantages and challenges of being a non-permanent member of the UNSC, UN assessments of Vietnam’s participation in peacekeeping forces, and Vietnam’s contributions in the near future.
Deputy FM Trung emphasised Vietnam’s policy of promoting peace, cooperation and development. Vietnam currently has strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with many countries, while fostering friendly, close and reliable relations with many nations around the world. With 192 votes out of 193 UN member nations, this reflects the deep partnership between Vietnam and other countries on the one hand, and also shows that the countries want Vietnam to contribute and are ready to enable Vietnam to contribute to the common affairs of the international community. However, alongside the advantages, there are disadvantages, especially in relations between powers, which have a profound impact on the operations of the UNSC. In addition, multilateralism has encountered unprecedented challenges, including a worrying issue that is the increasing trend of using and threatening to use violence.
The deputy FM affirmed Vietnam’s stance on major international issues is to be positive and constructive. He stated that Vietnam does not have a policy of developing weapons of mass destruction, while fighting terrorism in any form and wishing to resolve international tensions and disagreements by peaceful means and on the basis of respecting independence and sovereignty of nations and their legitimate rights and interests.
Concerning Vietnam’s discussion priorities as the president of the UNSC in January 2020, Deputy FM Trung stated that in the agenda, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will preside over the meetings of the UNSC, including a ministerial-level open discussions under the theme of celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of the UN, on the compliance with the UN Charter in maintaining international peace and security, as well as on the role of regional organisations in cooperation with the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security. Vietnam will also discuss issues related to the Iraqi funds and the Middle East region. In April 2021, Vietnam will discuss with countries the post-conflict issues, including the mine and UXO settlement, humanitarian issues, women and children.
According to Deputy FM Trung, the UN assessed the participation of Vietnamese officials and soldiers in the peacekeeping force as being very serious and effective, not only serving the countries’ peacekeeping forces but also supporting and serving the local people and communities. Therefore, the UN wants Vietnam to send more forces to join the mission. A number of Vietnamese officers participating in peacekeeping operations have been commended. In the coming time, Vietnam will participate not only in the health-related areas but also stand ready to participate in the field of military engineering.
