Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese delegation, speaks at a UN meeting (Photo: VNA)

In its second tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Vietnam has shown an independent, self-reliant, responsible, and equable spirit, complied with the UN Charter and the basic principles of international law, sought to resolve regional and global disputes through peaceful dialogue and negotiations, and shared its experience in national reconstructions, development, and integration into the region and the world.

Unprecedented challenges

Since early this year the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every country in every social aspect. During the 3 months that the UN headquarters and the UNSC office were closed, Vietnam adapted to online operations for consultancy mechanisms, negotiations, and voting on global issues.

Vu Hong Viet, Director of the International Organizations Department of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry, said: “In the first 6 months of the year, the world saw profound and unpredictable developments. At the beginning of the year, a US airstrike killed Iran’s General Soleiman, which led to retaliation by Iran. Then the new coronavirus epidemic broke out and spread worldwide. All these plus competition between world powers have directly impacted the UNSC operation. Despite the challenges, Vietnam has fulfilled its tasks and created momentum for Vietnam’s better engagement in the future.”

Vietnam’s accomplishments

As UNSC President in January, Vietnam managed many regular and unexpected issues. Vietnam initiated and organized two important events: the UNSC’s open debate on "maintenance of international peace and security to uphold the UN Charter" and a meeting on UN-ASEAN cooperation.

Vu Hong Viet, head of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The debate went down into the UNSC history as it saw the biggest number of participants and representatives of 111 countries deliver remarks. It was the first time the UNSC ever adopted a presidential statement affirming the UN Charter's durable values in maintaining international peace and security. The ASEAN-UNSC Dialogue was attended by the ASEAN Secretary General. Delegates discussed East Sea issues.”

Vietnam and 8 other non-permanent members of the UNSC proposed that the UNSC meet online in early April for its first discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam contributed ideas to discussions of UN documents and initiatives to increase ASEAN’s presence at the UNSC.

Vietnam worked with Indonesia, another non-permanent member of the UNSC, to deliver a joint speech at a UNSC meeting. Vietnam iproposed to organize ASEAN-UN talks on sustainable development as part of the ASEAN-UN Summit in October.

Seeing what Vietnam has done in the past 6 months, world leaders have issued positive evaluations of Vietnam’s proactive role, raising Vietnam’s prestige and status internationally.

Vietnam will confidently undertake its tasks of a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the remainder of the tenure and shows the world that Vietnam is an active member of the UN and a reliable and responsible member of the international community.