Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung (Photo: VNA)

At the event, Dung said NAM is an important political force that has a strong voice to protect the interests of developing countries. He said the movement, to deal with challenges and promote its role, needs to boost solidarity and act in line with existing principles supporting multilateralism and international law. He advised member nations to reform mechanisms and working methods that promote cooperation within the movement.

Dung took the occasion to affirm that Vietnam and other ASEAN members are striving to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia. He noted that these efforts are being threatened by developments in the East Sea, in particular violations of Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its territorial waters as defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and said Vietnam asks that NAM members back ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the region.