Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN.  —  VNA/VNS Photo Hoài Thanh

NEW YORK During its working term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2020-21, Việt Nam will work hard to contribute to preventing conflicts, promoting preventive diplomacy and dealing with disputes peacefully in the spirit of Article 6 of the UN Charter.
Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, introduced priorities during the country’s tenure on the UNSC at a press conference in New York on Thursday (local time).
The Ambassador said that Việt Nam would also try to engage in the reform of the council’s operations and the active cooperation between the council and regional organisations.
He said that Việt Nam would voice its opinions on major issues such as the protection of civilians and essential infrastructure work in conflict areas, the safeguarding of women and children during armed conflicts, the settlement of bombs and mines left by war, and the UN peacekeeping operations.
Countering the impacts of climate change on peace and security would also be among priorities for Việt Nam in the year, he stated.
Answering reporters’ questions on whether Việt Nam would work for stronger voices of non-permanent members at the UNSC, the diplomat said that the efforts of a sole member could not make any change. However, if all non-permanent members worked together, things might be different, he said.
Regarding the relationship between Việt Nam and the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), especially after Việt Nam’s hosting of the second DPRK-US Summit in early 2019, Ambassador Quý said that Việt Nam and the DPRK had both multilateral and bilateral ties, and Việt Nam was striving to deliver to the DPRK its message that opening its doors and integrating into the world would make each country stronger and assist with its development.
Việt Nam had shared its experience with the DPRK in normalising the relationship with the US, he said, noting that Việt Nam and the US had lifted their relations to a comprehensive partnership.
Answering questions on whether Việt Nam would bring the East Sea issue to the UNSC discussions, Quý said that for a matter to be debated at the council, there should be support from at least nine member countries. Việt Nam would do what it should and could do at a suitable time, he added.
The Vietnamese representative also answered questions on other outstanding matters such as the reconstruction of Syria, the human rights situation in some countries as well as humanitarian relief activities of the UN.
Currently, Việt Nam has finished preparations to take the responsibilities of a non-permanent member of the UNSC. As the Chair of the UNSC starting in January 2020, Việt Nam will chair the council’s meetings, and after receiving the permission from the council, Việt Nam will represent the council as a UN agency. VNS