Vietnam affirms consistent support for complete disarmament

NDO/VNA—Vietnam consistently supports efforts towards non-proliferation and general and complete disarmament, with the highest priority given to weapons of mass destruction, the country’s representative said at the general debate of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly’s 71st session.

Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga. (Credit: VNA)
Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga. (Credit: VNA)

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN, emphasised that there was a need for increased international cooperation to raise awareness and understanding of the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and strengthen the capacity of states, in particular developing countries, in implementing their respective obligations and commitments.

“The First Committee is having this debate as the world continues to face the dire threats posed by terrorism and the proliferation of WMDs. The international community has waited too long for the realisation of the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The very existence of WMDs themselves, especially nuclear weapons, remains a danger for international peace, security and stability,” the ambassador said.

She noted that Vietnam, as one of a few countries heavily affected by cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance left over from a series of devastating and protracted wars, supports the humanitarian goals of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, including the establishment of cooperation mechanisms and the provision of international assistance to address the aftermath of war.

She reported that Vietnam was effectively implementing a comprehensive national action plan for the 2010-2025 period with the utmost determination to improve the livelihoods of victims of bombs, mines and other explosive remnants of war by conducting a wide range of demining activities, as well as providing assistance to victims, facilitating their speedy reintegration into socioeconomic life.

The Vietnamese representative took the occasion to thank all international partners who had provided valuable support to Vietnam and to call on those in a position to do so to join the country in its humanitarian endeavours.

Representatives from regions and organisations, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and ASEAN, also voiced their concern over the deadlock over the disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons over the years.

They called on countries to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons as well as other WMDs and to enter substantive negotiations on those problems while affirming the legitimate rights of countries to research, develop, produce and make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Many stressed the need to form areas free from nuclear weapons and to tighten control over such weapons to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals.