Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s assumption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s non-permanent membership for the 2020-21 tenure and the UNSC’s presidency in January 2020 is a valuable opportunity for the country to contribute constructively and responsibly to the international community’s common affairs.

Such positions will also help to improve Việt Nam’s position and deepen its relations with other countries and major partners, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh wrote in a recent article.
Pointing out present challenges to global peace and security, such as prolonged conflicts in Africa, escalating tensions in the Middle East and potential “hot spots” in some regions, including Asia-Pacific, Minh affirmed that Việt Nam will continue persistently pursuing its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, active international integration, multilateralisation and diversification.
The country will make efforts to promote dialogue, ease tensions and confrontations, and seek fair, suitable solutions to issues that threaten regional and global peace and security, he said.
At the same time, Việt Nam will work to promote respect for international law and the UN Charter, especially basic principles on sovereignty, equality between countries, as well as respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and socio-political regimes, no interference in each other’s internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and not using or threatening to use force, Minh said.  
The Deputy PM also stressed Việt Nam’s advocacy of the spirit of “partnership for sustainable peace”, which focuses on conflict prevention, peace building, post-conflict reconstruction and enhancement of multilateralism and multilateral institutions, especially the UN and regional organisations.
As President of the UNSC in January 2020, Việt Nam will do its best to fulfill the task of managing the council’s operations and step up the search for solutions to issues raised at the council’s agenda, he said.
Apart from maintaining objectivity, transparency and respect for the UN Charter as well as the council’s procedures, the country will reconcile differences of parties and strive to build consensus.
Regarding the UNSC’s work programme in January 2020, Minh said Việt Nam will preside over more than 30 meetings and debates, and the council will decide on the peacekeeping operations and political missions in countries like Cyprus, Yemen and Libya, among others.
There will be two major events focusing on enhancing the observance of the UN Charter and forging cooperation between the UN and UNSC, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Deputy PM said.
“With a foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, the country’s new position, international support, experience in hosting regional and international multilateral mechanisms, careful preparations and close, effective coordination between ministries and agencies at home and abroad, we have adequate foundations to believe that Việt Nam will successfully perform the UNSC’s presidency in January 2020, creating momentum for the country to serve as the council’s non-permanent membership,” Minh stressed. — VNS