(VOVWORLD) - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has reiterated the Vietnamese government’s determination to promote multilateral cooperation and solidarity to overcome challenges and ensure peace and sustainable development. Mr. Minh made the statement at the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on Saturday.
 Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (photo: VNA) |
The world is now at a historic turning point with growing competition, confrontation, conflicts, and violation of international law. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and non-traditional security challenges are threatening the existence of the mankind and blocking efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
At the United Nations General Assembly’s general debate, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh urged the international community to make fundamental changes in thinking and reshape their approaches to global issues, which should be people-focused.
Promoting solidarity, international cooperation to cope with challenges
International solidarity and cooperation is the key to overcoming challenges, said Mr. Minh. He urged countries to abandon confrontation and a "win-lose" mindset, and instead promoting multilateralism and international cooperation in an open, inclusive, equitable, and mutually beneficial manner. He said the UN charter, international law, and the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, and disputes must be settled by peaceful means.
At the same time, it is necessary to build strong and effective multilateral institutions with the UN playing the central role. It’s also important to promote global partnerships by enhancing the role of regional organizations in order to address challenges.
Deputy PM Minh said Southeast Asian countries are making efforts to build a strong and united ASEAN Community, enhance its centrality in the regional security architecture, and promote cooperation between ASEAN and partners to find comprehensive solutions to problems in the region.
Mr. Minh stressed the need to maintain peace, stability, and security of navigation in the East Sea, settle disputes by peaceful means, and respect legal and diplomatic processes in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Vietnam respects multilateral mechanisms including the UN
Quoting President Lazar Mojsor of the 32nd United Nations General Assembly as saying that "Vietnam's accession to the United Nations was an important step in consolidating the world’s peace and security", Deputy Prime Minister Minh said that statement is still valid today and is reflected in Vietnam's efforts to maintain international peace and security, expand participation in UN peacekeeping activities, and promote a balanced, constructive approach to finding long-term solutions to global problems.
Vietnam has always promoted mutual understanding, mutual respect, cooperation and dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council and requests the support of other countries for its candidacy for membership on the Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.
Since Vietnam became the 149th member of the United Nations on September 20, 1977, it has always strived to be a reliable and responsible member.
Vietnam has strictly complied with the UN Charter and international law. Sharing values and principles is the foundation of cooperation and partnership between Vietnam and the United Nations. The values promoted by the United Nations are the values that generations of Vietnamese people have fought and sacrificed to protect - peace, national independence, and justice.