NEW YORK — Head of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Nguyễn Văn Giàu is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 2019 Parliamentary Hearing – Emerging Challenges to Multilateralism – between the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN, which opened on Thursday at the UN Headquarters.

Speaking at the event, Giàu appreciated efforts made by the UN in maintaining peace, global security and development of nations, stressing that Việt Nam would continue joining actively, proactively and responsibly in activities of the two organisations.

"Nations, especially big countries, need to maintain strong political commitments, take concrete actions on multilateralism, respect order based on rules and fundamental principles of the UN Chapter, abide by and implement UN resolutions and programmes in a fair, equal and responsible way," he said.

Giàu expressed his hope that the UN would be further reformed in the future, and it would build standards for new fields related to the environment, aerospace and water security, as well as pay due attention to developing countries.

Regarding IPU activities, Giàu said the organisation needed to work closely with member parliaments to implement its recommendations, and join the UN, regional and sub-regional organisations to continue building solutions to strengthen trust, promote preventive diplomacy, seek sustainable solutions to prolonged conflicts, prevent arms races and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, thus contributing to maintaining peace around the world.

He said Việt Nam had promoted international integration comprehensively and deeply across fields.

According to Giàu, since joining the UN in 1977, Việt Nam has always been an active member, and was elected to the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Law Commission, the Human Rights Council of the UN, and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The nation is also participating in UN peacekeeping activities.

The Vietnamese National Assembly, a member of the IPU for the past 40 years, has participated responsibly and actively in activities of the organisation, contributed to the amendment of the IPU’s charter and regulations, and was elected to the IPU Executive Board in the 2016-19 term.

On Friday, the Vietnamese delegation joins discussion sessions on issues of promoting responsible global governance, reforming the UN General Assembly, the role and contribution of parliaments in promoting solutions to prevent, resolve conflicts and preserve peace more efficiently. The hearing will close on the same day. — VNS