A meeting of the UN Security Council in New York. — AFP/VNA Photo

NEW YORK — Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese mission to the United Nations, on Thursday (local time) chaired the first online informal meeting between ambassadors of the 10 non-permanent member countries of the United Nations Security Council (E10) and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The ambassadors and Guterres exchanged views on matters regarding the agenda of the UN Security Council (UNSC), covering the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guterres said the UN and its Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) had shifted priorities towards helping countries cope with the pandemic, with specific activities.

Many countries and parties had responded to his call for a global unconditional ceasefire, he said, adding that, however, some conflicts were still developing.

He highlighted the E10’s significant role in pushing ahead with specific measures in order to maintain international peace and security, and cited pragmatic and diverse initiatives proposed by the countries when they hold the UNSC monthly presidency.

The countries lauded efforts of the UN Secretariat and Guterres to help countries cope with the pandemic.

The ambassadors said many of the UN Chief’s proposals and initiatives were practical, contributing to coordinating international cooperation, improving public awareness of pandemic impacts, and mobilising resources, especially for the areas hardest hit by the epidemic, thus supporting millions of people who are experiencing the humanitarian crisis.

For his part, Quý affirmed that Việt Nam, together with the E10 and other UNSC member countries would back the UN Secretary General’s efforts to maintain international peace and security, cope with the pandemic and promote sustainable development.

Việt Nam is holding the position as coordinator of the E10 in May.

Venezuela situation

Earlier, also in a UN Security Council (UNSC) teleconference on the situation in Venezuela, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN reaffirmed Việt Nam’s stance on opposing any threat of force or use of force against the territorial integrity, independence, sovereignty of all states and interference in their internal affairs.

"Such actions run counter to the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter," Quý told the meeting that was requested by Russia.

Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, noted that the Venezuelan Government sent a letter to the UNSC on May 13 stating that “armed groups of mercenaries and terrorists” organised by the US and Colombia illegally entered the country on May 3 and 4.

The US and Colombia had both denied these allegations of involvement, she said.

Ambassador Quý urged parties concerned to exercise restraint and not use force or threaten to use force, to avoid escalating tensions and causing instability.

He expressed support for the efforts of Venezuela’s constitutional government and stakeholders in promoting dialogue and seeking long-term solutions via peaceful means, in line with international law and the UN Charter.

Venezuela’s people must resolve their own problems through solutions based on respect for the country’s Constitution and the people’s will, he said.

He further noted that in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, priority should be given to constructive cooperation and humanitarian assistance to curb the spread of the virus in the Latin American country. — VNS