Vietnam fulfilled its role as ASEAN Chair in 2010 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term. Over the past 10 years, Vietnam’s greater involvement in global issues has helped raise its international status.

In advance of holding the posts again, Vietnam is prepared to demonstrate its stance and the shared view of ASEAN to provide the UN a larger perspective of the regional situation amid complicated changes around the world.

National responsibility, global responsibility

The world is facing new challenges. Increasing unilateral actions to settle disputes is threatening  world peace and stability.

Vietnam is well aware of its responsibility after years of struggling for national independence and sovereignty. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told a UN General Assembly debate that can the world enjoy sustained peace  if each country and each individual is aware of their national and global responsibility. Vietnam is the only Asian candidate for a non-permanent Security Council member for the 2020-2021 term. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said: “Vietnam is motivated  to contribute to international efforts to maintain peace because we have a burning desire for peace. Vietnam was challenged in several wars. That’s why we always try to prevent wars and conflicts.”

In becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and ASEAN Chair in 2020 Vietnam needs to deal with problems promptly, balance interests between nations regionally and globally, contribute to global issues, and proactively help to abate conflicts. Shahriman Lockman of Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies said: "The overlapping membership at the UNSC plus the ASEAN Chairmanship for Vietnam will put a heavy weight of responsibility on the shoulder of Vietnam making use of its experience from history of war and conflict to current tension in the East Sea to respecting international law of the Sea. Vietnam has and can be a skillful player of conflict prevention, conflict solutions, and post-conflict management."

With its experience in holding the two posts ten years ago, international experts expressed their belief that Vietnam will fulfill its tasks. Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Netalegawa said: "Vietnam, ever since it joined ASEAN, has become very much, not only a member of ASEAN, but also a key member of ASEAN. Vietnam will really take leadership of ASEAN in 2020 and have propelled it to an even higher level of cooperation. This is the very timely initiative. The government of Vietnam has prepared to take the chairmanship in 2020. 2020 will be significant because Vietnam will also plan to be a member of the UN Security Council as well."

Vietnam will uphold its pursuit of global peace and prosperity and its foreign policy of peace, independence, and self-reliance when it becomes ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2020 if elected.