(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam has completed its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Having successfully fulfilled the same role 10 years ago, in this tenure Vietnam joined discussions, promoted consensus and cooperation, reduced tensions and confrontation, and found prompt, equitable solutions to issues that threatened regional and global peace and security.
 Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (baoquocte.vn) |
In the spirit of a Partner for Sustainable Peace, Vietnam has, as a non-permanent UN Security Council member, earned praise from partner countries, friends, and the international community.
Highlights
In the past two years, the world has seen complex political, security, and socio-economic developments, unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, growing competition between superpowers, and escalating tensions in many hot spots. In this context, Vietnam made practical, effective contributions to the work of the Security Council.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, said: "There were 840 meetings at the ambassador level or above during the past two years. We participated in the negotiation and adoption of 254 resolutions and other documents. During our two months as UNSC chair, we adopted 2 resolutions and 26 other documents that we proposed, as well as 3 Presidential Statements. All these documents and resolutions were of great importance to immediate and long-term UNSC activities. I believe we successfully fulfilled our tasks and some were completed beyond expectation."
Vietnam also promoted initiatives like the UN Resolution on an International Day of Disease Prevention and Control and the establishment of the 113-member-nation UNCLOS Group of Friends. It was re-elected to the International Law Committee for the 2021-2026 term and applied for a spot on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.
Vietnam dealt confidently with security challenges and matters requiring conflict resolution, and called attention to important issues such as bomb and land mine clearance and humanitarian crises.
 Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: dangcongsan.vn) |
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said: "We drew international praise for our masterful approach to issues of peace and security and for upholding a humanitarian spirit and a focus on people, which are lessons we learned from many years living with war and conflict. Events and documents we initiated dealt with issues that have practical ramifications for Vietnam and the international community."
Creating trust, building momentum
Vietnam’s successful completion of its second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council reflected its policy of diversification and multilateralization. Its participation on the Council increased the world’s trust in Vietnam and raised Vietnam’s international status.
Vietnam initiatives drew international attention and promoted Vietnam’s image as a peace-loving, dynamic, reformed nation always ready to contribute to the international community.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said countries argued less when Vietnam was the UNSC Chair. The UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, said: “Without Vietnam, the UNSC might have gotten off track in addressing urgent issues.” Many other countries said Vietnam represented developing and non-aligned countries at the UNSC.