Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam performed its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) well in the first half of this year, contributing to creating an international and regional environment conducive to national development and bolstering ties with countries for the common goal of peace, stability, and prosperity, Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung has said.
In a recent article reviewing the country’s performance in the UNSC, he said more than 200 meetings at the ambassadorial level and hundreds of working sessions considering 59 agenda issues and adopting 81 documents were impressive figures posted during the period.
Việt Nam joined and played its role in multilateral mechanisms, especially at ASEAN and the UN in its dual role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and the ASEAN Chair 2020, he wrote.
In his two messages on the occasion of Việt Nam’s election as the ASEAN Chair 2020 in January 2020 and a UNSC non-permanent member for 2020-2021 in June 2019 and January 2020, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng highlighted the need to see fulfilling tasks assigned by the international community as one of the most important jobs of the Vietnamese Party and State.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc also said Việt Nam would do its best to perform its role as a UNSC non-permanent member well in an article written in June last year. He stressed that Việt Nam supported multilateral co-operation and the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in particular in an address to the online meeting of the 73rd World Health Assembly on May 19.

Rapid, complicated and uncertain developments in the world due to competition among major powers and rising tension in hotspots all over the world were big challenges in the first half of this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic also left a serious impact on every aspect of life.

In a spirit of partnership for sustainable peace, Trung said "Việt Nam always observes the UN Charter and basic principles of international law; supports the seeking of solutions to regional and global disputes and conflicts via negotiations, considering the interests of parties concerned; and stands ready to share its experience in national development and regional and global integration."
Việt Nam offered two initiatives, he said, including holding a ministerial-level open debate on observing the UN Charter, which attracted the attention of representatives from 106 countries, adopting the first Chairman’s Statement on the UN Charter, and organising the first meeting between the UN and ASEAN to discuss enhancing collaboration.

Việt Nam responded and participated in important activities organised by the UNSC. 

This was demonstrated by the fact that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh made a speech at a high-level virtual meeting entitled '75th Anniversary of the end of World War II' in response to an invitation by Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu.

In line with Decree No.25 dated August 8, 2018, by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on strengthening multilateral diplomacy, Việt Nam has strived to play its role as a mediator in narrowing differences between countries in dealing with complex issues including conflict between Israel and Palestine, water conflict between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and on how to respond to COVID-19 pandemic.

In complex cases, the country took a balanced and constructive approach, meeting the interests of parties concerned and the international community while protecting its stance and interests on important peace and security issues.
In co-ordination with Indonesia, Việt Nam delivered joint speeches spotlighting ASEAN’s role and presence at the UNSC, especially at a time when it also held the ASEAN Chairmanship.
Việt Nam’s responsible contribution and stance on issues in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East have also been welcomed by the international community, he said, adding that countries listened to its opinion on the settlement of complicated issues in Iran, Hong Kong (China), and Rakhine state in Myanmar, among others.
World media and scholars also offered positive feedback on Việt Nam’s contributions to the UNSC.
Việt Nam stays determined to fulfil its tasks, making further contributions to the UNSC’s common effort for peace, global security, stability, and sustainable development, the article says.  — VNS