(VOVWORLD) -Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang underscored the critical importance of protecting civilians in armed conflicts while addressing an annual open debate on the issue held by the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
 Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations speaks at the debate (Photo: VOV reporter in Washington DC) |
In his remarks, Giang, who is Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, pointed out the fact that the international community is facing major challenges to civilian protection such as wars and large-scale conflicts in many places and the complex COVID-19 situation, especially in conflict-hit areas. Those lingering problems have become even more complicated due to new crises, particularly the food crisis and supply chain disruptions. Meanwhile, resources for the protection of civilians have been reduced as the international community has to reserve them for resolving new challenges.
He called on the international community to take urgent measures, increase humanitarian aid, and help increase countries and communities’ resilience to security challenges, including climate change.
In the long term, Giang stressed, it is necessary to step up the settlement and prevention of conflicts on the basis of enhanced cooperation between the UN, countries, regional organizations, and the private sector.
Vietnam thoroughly understands war consequences and sympathizes with armed conflicts’ losses and aftermath suffered by civilians, the ambassador noted, adding that it will keep contributing to common international efforts to protect civilians in conflicts.