Ambassador Pham Hai Anh speaks at a general debate of the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee on October 25, 2021. (Photo: VOV)

Addressing a general debate of the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee on Monday, Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, underlined that peacekeeping operations are an important tool for maintaining peace and international security. He said Vietnam will continue to responsibly participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

He expressed concern about the plight of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip and occupied Palestinian territories, and said Vietnam supports their right to self-determination and their just struggle to defend that right and force a two-state solution that involves the formation of a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital and peaceful existence with Israel. He called on stakeholders to create favourable conditions for humanitarian activities and respond to the call from the UN Secretary General to strengthen contributions to activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees.

Ambassador Anh said bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance left by war continue to be a threat to civilians in 60 countries and territories, including Vietnam. He shared Vietnam’s experience in implementing solutions and called on other countries to help meet the challenge of bomb and mine clearance. The Ambassador said mine clearance should follow the recommendations of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, and the Presidential Statement proposed by Vietnam in April on dealing with landmines.

The Vietnamese Ambassador said Vietnam supports international efforts to promote the peaceful use of outer space, and called on countries to exercise restraint to avoid an arms race in space. He expressed Vietnam’s hope of greater cooperation with the international community in space science and technology, and ensuring security and safety in outer space.