Vietnam begins presidency of UN Security Council

Vietnam began undertakings in its capacity as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the UN headquarters in New York on January 2, marking the start of the country’s UNSC non-membership for a two-year term.

Friday, January 03, 2020 09:14

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy at the ceremony to put Vietnamese flag at the UN headquarters in New York. (Photo: NT)

A flag ceremony was held for Vietnam and four other new non-permanent members of the UNSC for the 2020-2021 tenure, comprising of Estonia, Niger, and Saint and Grenadines.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, said it is Vietnam’s great honour to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and holds the body’s rotating presidency in January.

He also said Vietnam will exert their greatest efforts to contribute to joint activities of the council in order to ensure the observance of the UN Charter and promote multilateralism.

Ambassador Quy called on countries to back Vietnam’s efforts, not only during the month-long presidency but also in the coming time ahead.

The same day, the UNSC approved January’s work programme proposed by Vietnam.

Accordingly, the body will convene 12 open debates and 15 closed-door meetings to look into various regional and international issues such as the ongoing situations in the Middle East, Syria, Yemen, West Africa, Sahel, Mali, Libya, Central Asia and Cyprus.

UNSC agencies will also hold many meetings this month to discuss issues regarding sanctions, anti-terrorism, courts, children, armed conflicts and procedures.

Stepping up the observance of the UN Charter and boosting cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN will be two major roles of the council in January.

On the occasion, Vietnam received the up most approval of all UNSC member countries for the organisation of an open debate on regards to pushing ahead with the observance of UN Charter on January 9, and a meeting on ASEAN-UN cooperation in maintaining international peace and security on January 23.

Vietnam’s proposals aim to carry forward the role of multilateral, the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, for a better world.

Vietnam also wants to raise the efficiency of cooperation and comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN, for the sake of ASEAN member countries and the international community.

The Ambassador then went on to host a press conference.