Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam will continue to co-operate proactively and responsibly with the UN and other countries to promote the rule of law at both national and international levels, Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnam mission to the UN has said.

Addressing a meeting of the Legal Committee (Sixth Committee) of the UN General Assembly’s 75th session on Tuesday in New York, Quý emphasised the important role of the rule of law at national and international levels in socio-economic development, human rights assurance, and the maintenance of international peace and security.

Activities promoting the rule of law at the national level should focus on protecting vulnerable groups, and ensuring fairness and equality, especially amid the ongoing complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The diplomat stressed international law and principles of the UN Charter are the basic foundation of the international system and called on countries to respect the principles of peaceful settlement of international disputes and uphold the role of international courts in peacefully settling international disputes and promoting adherence to the rule of law at the international level.

Regarding South China Sea (East Sea)-related issues, Ambassador Quý said Việt Nam is working with other ASEAN countries to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.

He expressed deep concern at the recent developments in the East Sea, saying that these actions undermine trust among countries, increase tensions and affect peace, security and stability in the region.

The ambassador urged all parties to comply with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), promote confidence-building, and refrain from unilateral actions that complicate the situation and increase tensions at the sea, peacefully settle disputes in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, including UNCLOS, and fully respect legal, political and regulatory processes of UNCLOS in defining maritime claims.

The Legal Committee is one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly, grouping representatives from all 193 UN member states, to review legal issues. Topics currently being discussed by the committee include the rule of law, reports of the UN Commissions on International Law and International Trade Law and measures to eliminate international terrorism. —VNS