(VOVWORLD) - As President of the United Nations Security Council for April 2021, Vietnam organised a high-level open debate on Monday on the role of regional organisations in promoting trust-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution. The debate, partly in-person and partly online, reflected Vietnam’s determination to share the UN’s responsibility maintenance of international peace.
 Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
The event was presided over by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, marking the first time a high-ranking Vietnamese leader has chaired an event within the framework of the UN Security Council. This was President Phuc’s first important multilateral diplomatic event since the 13th National Party Congress.
Building trust and dialogue
Vietnam has made promoting cooperation of regional organizations with the UN Security Council and with the UN a priority for its 2020-2021 term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. This is a continuation of Vietnam’s achievements during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 and its initiative of organizing the first meeting between the UN Security Council and ASEAN in January 2020.
As an active member of the international community, the UN, and ASEAN and as a peace-loving country that understands the tragedy of war and conflict, Vietnam wants regional organisations to share responsibility with the UN in preventing or resolving conflicts.
Expanding ASEAN’s role
Selecting for the debate the theme “The role of regional organisations in promoting trust-building and dialogue in conflict prevention”, Vietnam wants to promote ASEAN’s contribution to international peace and security and promote trust-building measures and dialogues in conflict prevention and resolution. Vietnam also wants to honor its commitments to address global challenges.
During the last decade, ASEAN has played an important role in connecting regional countries, transforming Southeast Asia from a region of conflicts and disputes into a region of peace and prosperity. ASEAN continues to play a crucial role in creating mechanisms and forums to enhance trust between its member countries as well as between ASEAN countries and others.
As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam wants ASEAN to have a greater voice, position and role in matters directly related to the region and to enhance its presence at the UN. Through this debate, Vietnam has drawn the attention of the international community and the United Nations to cooperation with ASEAN, and will strengthen ASEAN’s future role within international forums and institutions.
The open debate will provide an opportunity for UN leaders and the leaders of ASEAN, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and the UN Security Council to assert the role of their organisations, and share their experience in dealing with challenges in their region. Cooperation between regional organizations with the UN will be strengthened and a network will be created for sharing information, experience, and resources.