Ambassador Đặng Hoàng Giang, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the United Nations, and Secretary-General António Guterres had talks on October 13, 2022, in New York. — VNA/VNS Photo

NEW YORK — The visit to Việt Nam by Secretary-General António Guterres from October 21 – 22 reflects the importance the United Nations attaches to the international role and position of and contributions by the Southeast Asian nation as well as the partnership between the two sides, a diplomat has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ambassador Đặng Hoàng Giang, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UN, stressed that the visit was of great significance.

Through meetings between the UN Secretary General and Vietnamese high-ranking Party and State leaders and diverse activities during the visit, the multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides would be enhanced in a more intensive and practical manner, the ambassador said.

This also would help promote issues of shared concern such as the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially those on environmental protection and climate change response, enabling Việt Nam to contribute more to international efforts in addressing global challenges, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world, he continued.

Reviewing the cooperation between the two sides over the past 45 years, Giang noted that the UN was Việt Nam’s biggest international partner that provided support for the country in the post-war reconstruction through a range of projects in poverty reduction, helping to ensure its people’s lives.

Gradually, with marked achievements in reform, socio-economic development and international integration, Việt Nam had consolidated its position in the international arena.

Việt Nam had set up diplomatic ties with nearly 190 UN member countries and strategic and comprehensive partnerships with all leading important partners, Giang said, adding that Việt Nam’s international position is associated with its active, responsible and practical contributions to common affairs of the international community, particularly the UN.

Việt Nam won seats at UN agencies including the Security Council for the 2008-2009 and 2020-2021 tenures, the Human Rights Council for 2014-2016, and the Economic and Social Council for 2016-2018; and had chances to engage in discussions to promote solutions in important areas.

Since 2014, Việt Nam had joined UN peacekeeping operations. Most recently, the country was elected a Vice President of the 77th UN General Assembly for 2022-2023, and a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Through such engagement, Việt Nam had affirmed that it not only was serious and willing to be a reliable, constructive and responsible member of the international community, but also had full capacity in terms of capacity and resources to take on tasks and join international efforts in handling common issues, according to the ambassador.

Giang added that Việt Nam had played a role in promoting multilateralism and collective approach, which is crucial and drawing attention of countries given the complex developments, competitions and differences of the world situation.

These noteworthy achievements helped affirm Việt Nam’s development attainments over the past years, while facilitating its intensive and extensive participation in regional and global affairs in the time ahead, he said.

They had also contributed to implementing Việt Nam’s inclusive target of ensuring the highest interest of the nation and utilising resources to serve national development.

Giang said the current global and international situation, as well as the country’s potential and its rising position, had both required and created conditions for Việt Nam to work harder to make quality progress for the relationship with the UN.

He suggested Việt Nam further work together with other countries to promote multilateralism and the role of the UN, while actively contributing to joint efforts in maintaining international peace and security, especially issues directly related to the region.

Việt Nam’s joining UN peacekeeping activities would be further expanded in various localities, he said, emphasising that the country would carry forward its active role in promoting important agendas, covering the implementation of SDGs.

The engagement was expected to help the country optimise resources and support of the international community for its sustainable development.

Giang noted Việt Nam was working together with key countries to prepare a UN summit on improving the world’s response to pandemics, and that Việt Nam would strive to bring into full play opportunities through its membership at the Human Rights Council for 2023-2025. — VNS