Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Minister Counsellor Le Thi Minh Thoa

Speaking at the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects in New York, the Vietnamese representative underscored the need to abide by international law and UN Charter, guarantee the right to produce, import, and possess small guns and light weapons for national security and defense.

Vietnamese laws and legal documents clearly stipulate that small guns and light weapons and related equipment only serve national defense and security purposes, and the import of weapons, unless permitted by the State, is prohibited. Illegal acts of transporting, using, and trading weapons and explosives constitute criminal offenses, said Thoa.

Vietnam has participated in relevant regional mechanisms, including the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings and related meetings on transnational crime. Vietnam and ASEAN countries discussed and approved the ASEAN Declaration on Combating Arms Smuggling last August.