Vietnamese and foreign diplomats speak to Vietnam News Agency about opportunities and challenges ahead of the election in two days to decide whether Việt Nam will take a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-21 term

Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN

Given the level of support already expressed, Việt Nam has a big opportunity to be successful in the poll.

It is essential 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.

If it wins the election, Việt Nam 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.

Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga, head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN for 2014-2018

There are reasons for Việt Nam to be optimistic about its run for non-permanent membership on the UNSC for the 2020-21 tenure. On Friday, the UN General Assembly will vote to choose five members for the position, with Việt Nam the only candidate from the Asia-Pacific region.

Việt Nam's nomination for the position on May 25, 2018, 13 months before the vote, was unprecedented, showing regional countries' support and trust for Việt Nam. This helped make it easier for Việt Nam to rally support from UN member states in other regions. Việt Nam is a bright example and admired by international friends for its heroic struggle for national independence, human rights, growth and its love for peace. The country has made advances in its external policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of ties.

Việt Nam is widely seen as an active and responsible member of the UN that supports multilateralisation, follows the UN Charter and international law and joins the UN's major policymaking agencies, thus making a lot of contributions to the organisation. UN member countries also trust Việt Nam's capability and role in international security. The country makes active contributions to important issues such as disarmament, the ban on nuclear weapon proliferation and counter-terrorism, and has experience in dealing with internal and regional issues and addressing disputes by peaceful means. 
Ambassador Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

I am sure Việt Nam will be elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 term. When elected, Việt Nam is expected to have a role to play in a very important issue. That is to keep the council continuing its operations in an effective way. Việt Nam is a very important, close friend and strategic partner of Japan, which is why the two sides want to help each other in international affairs. Japan looks towards Việt Nam's leadership in reflecting the point of view of regional countries. Việt Nam has very important history of overcoming the war and building peace and its economy, and that experience will give the country a status in the security council and will help Việt Nam give good advice and input into the organisation.
Ambassador Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the UN

Việt Nam's current position in the region shows that the country is attached to peace and it is not by chance that Việt Nam is selected and supported by countries in the region as the only candidate for election to the United Nations Security Council this time. Việt Nam has gained many experiences after successfully shouldering such a role for 2008-09. Việt Nam has done a good job.

Việt Nam is also recognised as a country with an important role in a region which sometimes sees tensions, conflicts and differences on a number of issues, but Việt Nam has always proved to be a responsible and not aggressive member of the world community.

Việt Nam still has many challenges to overcome if it wins the election. First of all is the definition of its priorities and the working out of a suitable agenda. It is also necessary to consult and listen to countries to see what their fears and concerns are and try to form a common voice. 
Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations.

I am glad that Việt Nam will be in the UN Security Council and I am quite sure that Việt Nam will do an excellent job.

Indonesia served with Việt Nam in the council ten years ago and we have a lot of experience together. I think Việt Nam can contribute to a lot of issues as it is a credible country and works in principles. Việt Nam has sent personnel to UN peacekeeping forces and there are many other areas in which the country can contribute when becoming a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

Việt Nam has prepared well and the country will not face any problems in the upcoming vote. If Việt Nam wins the election, it will have only six months to get a thorough grasp of procedures and regulations of the council in order to assume its position over the next two years and careful preparation for this is very important and necessary. If Việt Nam is elected, it would do well in its responsibilities at the UN Security Council. 
Ambassador Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations

The chance for Việt Nam to be elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is very good.

Việt Nam understands the need to find political diplomatic solutions to disputes and understands the high cost of war and the need to avoid, prevent and resolve it and protect civilians. Việt Nam is well suited to serve on the UNSC.

Việt Nam has prepared itself very well for what is going to be the two challenging years and I think the chance of success is much better. Việt Nam is a big country that comes in with a lot of experience as the country served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC 10 years ago. I think everyone has high expectations for Việt Nam to play a constructive role in the UNSC. VNS