A Myanmar soldier stands guard on a road amid demonstrations against the military coup in Naypyidaw on Feb 17, 2021. — AFP/VNA Photo

NEW YORK — Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN, has voiced concern over the escalation of violence in Myanmar, which has left hundreds of civilians dead, while attending a virtual conference of the UN Security Council on Thursday.

The diplomat called for dialogue, reconciliation, co-operation and trust-building to seek solutions to the Myanmar situation.

He called on parties to end violence against civilians while saying that priority should be given to ensuring security and safety for local residents as well as smooth humanitarian support for the needy, particularly vulnerable groups.

He said the international community should continue support for Myanmar so that the nation can stabilise the domestic situation, and avoid actions that can increase divisions within Myanmar.

ASEAN is making efforts to seek measures to help Myanmar, Quý said, calling on countries to support ASEAN’s work.

Quý added that he backed the role of Christine Schraner Burgener, UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, and encouraged her to enhance coordination with ASEAN on the issue.

At the conference, 15 UNSC member states also expressed their concern over the Myanmar situation. They condemned the use of violence and asked relevant parties to restrain and hold dialogues to settle the issue.

They spoke highly of the ASEAN’s role and hoped the grouping, in its upcoming meetings, will help Myanmar seek suitable measures. They also said they support the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar in efforts to maintain dialogue with parties involved in this Southeast Asian country as well as during trips to the region in the near future.

UNSC Presidency

Thursday was also the day Việt Nam began activities in its capacity as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for April, the second and last time the country has assumed the post during its 2020-21 tenure as a non-permanent member.

On Thursday morning (US time), the UNSC adopted the April Programme of Work proposed by Việt Nam, under which the council will hold 15 open debates and 10 closed meetings discussing various peace and security matters in the world, including situations in the Middle East, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, West Sahara, Colombia, and Kosovo.

Việt Nam will chair four video-teleconferencing (VTC) open debates this month, with the first taking place on April 8 named “Maintenance of international peace and security: Mine action.” There will also be debates on “Women and peace and security: Sexual violence in conflict” on April 14, “Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations” on April 19, and “Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Indispensable civilian objects” on April 27.

UN member states congratulated Việt Nam on its month-long UNSC presidency and thanked the country for its contributions to the UNSC as well as its effort in seeking solutions to international peace and security issues.

They welcomed topics for discussion initiated by Việt Nam in April which reflect its efforts to seek solutions to conflicts and promote sustainable peace.

Ambassador Quý has also held a press conference at the UN Headquarter in New York fielding questions from the international press regarding priorities in Việt Nam's presidency month, instability hotspots in the world, and the UNSC agenda in general. — VNS