HÀ NỘI – President Trần Đại Quang reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to joining the United Nations’ efforts for a peaceful world and sustainable development during a reception for the UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson in Hà Nội yesterday.

Việt Nam wanted the UN to continue upholding its role in maintaining global peace, security and helping member states successfully realise agreements of historic significance adopted last year, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, he said.

Quang thanked the UN agencies in Việt Nam for their joint work in devising the 2017-21 Việt Nam–UN Joint Co-operation Plan, as well as the urgent humanitarian assistance for victims of drought and saltwater intrusion in the south central region, Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta. This included adding Việt Nam onto a list of 22 countries in need of global support.

Eliasson, in reply, hailed Việt Nam for supporting the “One UN” initiative and for its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2008-09, adding that he backed the country’s bid for the same position in 2020-21.

He hoped that Việt Nam would continue integrating the UN sustainable development goals into its socio-economic development plans and achieve more successes in the future.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General stated that the UN was fully aware of the difficulties caused by drought and saline intrusion in Việt Nam, and pledged that the UN will join hands with Việt Nam to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change.

The guest also spoke highly of Việt Nam’s efforts in exercising human rights and respecting the UN Charter.

Response to drought

Also yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh acknowledged the assistance to Việt Nam of the UN and other countries in implementing the plan on an emergency response to drought and saltwater intrusion during the talks with Eliasson.

He emphasised that the drought and saltwater intrusion in the south central coast, Central Highlands, and especially the Mekong Delta of Việt Nam, which are exacerbated by climate change, were the worst in more than nine decades.

Minh also appreciated the UN’s cooperation with and effective support to Việt Nam over the past years, stressing that his country would continue to be a responsible member of the international community and the UN. It is committed to actively contributing to joint efforts for peace and sustainable development in the world.

For his part, Eliasson said he was impressed with Việt Nam’s attainments during the 30 years of đổi mới (renewal).

He highly values the country’s responsible and effective contributions at UN forums, including as a member of the UN Human Rights Council between 2014 and 2016, and the UN Economic and Social Council for the 2016–18 term. Việt Nam has also participated in the reform of the UN and sent forces to UN peacekeeping missions.

At the talks, the two sides discussed the major priorities of the international community and the UN at present. They agreed to promote the effective implementation of the historic agreements – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The Deputy PM and UN Deputy Secretary-General concurred in intensifying Việt Nam–UN cooperation. They also touched upon the regional situation and recent complex developments in the East Sea.

Eliasson said the UN closely followed developments in regional waters, noting that the easing of tensions was in conformity with the relevant parties’ interests. He hoped that they would exercise self-restraint, resolve disputes peacefully in line with international law, and push for the finalisation of a code of conduct of parties in the East Sea.

Also yesterday, Eliasson talked to students at the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam and visited the National Hospital of Paediatrics and the Green One UN House in Hà Nội. — VNS