Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN (centre) speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

NEW YORK — The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday debated co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security, with Việt Nam chairing the discussion in New York.
In his remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said ASEAN had played an active role in UN activities, especially peacekeeping, and lauded the bloc's initiatives regarding preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and peace-building, as well as its main role in the regional architecture.
ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi reviewed the progress in co-operation between the two sides, saying ASEAN shared visions and objectives with the UN.

The 10-member group’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community had received support from partners, including the UN, he said, adding that ASEAN was committed to promoting multilateralism and working with the UN to build “the future we want” and “the UN we need".

UNSC member countries applauded the initiative to organise the first-ever UNSC meeting on ASEAN-UN co-operation and backed ASEAN’s efforts to enhance dialogue and collaboration through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

They stressed the significance of enhancing ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture, expressing hope that the group would carry forward its role in regional and global issues of shared concern.

The countries lauded progress in ASEAN-UN co-operation, especially the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2011, and the implementation of the co-operation action plan during 2016-2020 and the building of a new action plan for the next five years.

Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Viet Nam's mission to the UN, highlighted the significance of strengthening ties between the UN and regional organisations, including ASEAN, saying "the UN is a dynamic and trustworthy partner" of the bloc.

As ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021, Việt Nam would make efforts to intensify co-operation between the sides, focusing on conflict settlement, preventive diplomacy, disarmament, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and maritime co-operation and security, he said.

The ambassador presented Việt Nam’s proposals for ASEAN-UN co-operation in 2020 like improving the quality and efficiency of ASEAN member countries’ engagement in UN peacekeeping missions and promoting women’s role and contributions to peace and security.

Việt Nam also proposed a high-level ASEAN-UN dialogue on sustainable development on the occasion of the ASEAN-UN Summit slated for October in the country.
Earlier the same day, the UNSC convened a meeting chaired by Việt Nam to discuss issues in Cyprus and Libya.

The UNSC voted to approve a resolution extending the operation of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until July 31.

The council also listened to a report on the operation of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Ambassador Phạm Hải Anh, deputy head of the Việt Nam mission to the UN, hailed the efforts of the UN, regional organisations and relevant countries in promoting peace in Libya, especially the adoption of a joint declaration at the Berlin conference, which aims to call for an end to intervention in the Libyan situation and to promote political solutions led by Libyan people.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring political solutions led by Libyan people and called for parties in Libya to show restraint and reach a long-term ceasefire.

The diplomat said Việt Nam supported a resolution of the UNSC to back the implementation of the outcomes of the international conference in Berlin, Germany, on January 19.

Việt Nam also highly appreciated the role and contributions of the UNSMIL, he added. — VNS