Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN. VNA/VNS Photo Hữu Hoàng

NEW YORK — Việt Nam has the opportunity to win a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term, Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN, has said.

Việt Nam has been nominated by Asia-Pacific countries in the UN as the only candidate from the region for the seat, with the vote slated for June 7.
In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New York, Quý said that to date, more than 120 countries have shown their support for Việt Nam in writing, while 30-40 others have made oral commitments. Only 41 have given no comment on the issue. 
The UN Security Council’s voting procedure stipulates that non-permanent members must be elected by a two-thirds majority. Given the level of support already expressed, Việt Nam has a big opportunity to be successful in the poll, he said.
Quý stressed the need to encourage the countries that have made vocal commitments to show their backing in writing, and to ask the 41 countries that have not responded to provide official answers on whether they will support Việt Nam.
It is important to encourage all countries to join the vote and support Việt Nam at the UN General Assembly’s 73rd session on June 7, he said.
Regarding the urgent tasks Việt Nam must complete if it wins the election, the diplomat said the country will have six months for preparations as it would assume the position of UN Security Council Chair in January 2020.
The first point of order if Việt Nam wins the election would be to consolidate the organisational apparatus at the permanent Vietnamese mission to the UN and the foreign ministry in Hà Nội to solidify co-ordination between the two sides to allow for timely and correct decisions on issues at the UN Security Council.
The second step would be to prepare ideas on issues that Việt Nam will pursue in areas of international concern that conform with the council’s functions and duties, Quý said. — VNS