Vietnam confirms its pioneering role in global issues

Friday, 07/06/2019 10:12
After 30 years of being a member of the United Nations (UN), Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term by the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly, with a majority of votes in favor.

Vietnam active at United Nations’ forums

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Photo: VNA)

Although it was the first time Vietnam took on this important position, it strived to promote initiatives to reduce conflict and tension in countries around the world, and made diverse practical and positive contributions, leaving its mark which was recognized and appreciated by international friends.

In the context of busy work at the UN Security Council with complex developments in the world situation, in the 2008-2009 term, Vietnam caught up with the fast pace, making proactive and comprehensive contributions to all issues of the most powerful UN agency. From 2008 to 2009, the UN Security Council conducted 1,500 meetings at all levels; passed 113 resolutions, issued 165 presidential and press declarations on more than 50 agenda items; and handled many complex international and regional issues. Decisions at the UN Security Council are often urgent, sometimes made within a few days, which requires members to have a timely decision-making mechanism, while this was the first time Vietnam joined the UN Security Council.

Apart from being a non-permanent member, together with 14 other members of the UN Security Council, including five permanent members who participate in discussing, contributing and making decisions on global common issues related to regional and international peace and security, Vietnam was also elected President and Vice President of a number of subcommittees of the UN Security Council, and two times as the monthly President of the UN Security Council (in July 2008 and October 2009), building yearly reports on the work of this agency, as well as leading the drafting and negotiating to help the UN Security Council adopt a resolution on women and peace and security.

Vietnam participated in meetings of the UN Security Council with an active and responsible attitude, putting forth feasible ideas and solutions for the issues discussed. Many comments and suggestions of Vietnam were recognised, agreed and included in the documents of the UN Security Council. As a representative of Asia, Vietnam was interested in promoting peaceful settlement of regional issues, such as those in Africa and the Middle East.

Besides, it effectively implemented its foreign policy of peace, making positive contribution to resolving conflicts and crises around the world, supporting solutions through peaceful negotiations with a limit of sanctions, based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter, ensuring basic national rights. In addition, Vietnam actively participated and voted at the UN Security Council on issues such as war prevention, disarmament, terrorism prevention, limiting the application of sanctions, contributing to protecting independence and sovereignty, and pushing back the conspiracy to take advantage of democracy and human rights to intervene. Within two years, Vietnam fulfilled its responsibilities, showing that it is an active member of the international community, contributing significantly to efforts to ensure security and peace in the world.

Talking about Vietnam's activities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council term 2008-2009, the British journal The Economist commented that Vietnam actively expressed its point of views and sought solutions for international issues. Meanwhile, Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Austrian Permanent Mission to the UN at the time Vietnam assumed the position of non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2008-2009 term, emphasized that Vietnam could be completely proud of its presence at the UN Security Council.

Journalist George Alan Baumgarten, a senior writer on the United Nations for many international newspapers, also highly appreciated the two years that Vietnam undertook the position of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. He stated that in two years, Vietnam made many positive contributions recognized by international friends. Honorable professor of the University of New South Wales (Australia) Carl Thayer said from 2008 and 2009, Vietnam was praised by the US for its positive contributions to key issues such as non-dissemination of nuclear weapons and anti-terrorism.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that at that time, Vietnam played a very important role in the UN Security Council, especially in support of the UN Resolution on women, peace and security. Mr. Malhotra stressed that since this time, Vietnam continues to promote its role as a positive member of the international community by implementing many policies, and participating in efforts to ensure international peace and security, such as sending 63 officers involved in Level 2 Field Hospital in South Sudan, joining the UN Human Rights Council for the period of 2014-2016, and being selected for the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Vietnam’s positive contributions in the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term of 2008-2009 created a basis for Vietnam to be approved by the Asia-Pacific countries to introduce and apply as the only candidate for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council term 2020-2021.

Nation's first term confirms that Vietnam has the capacity to actively and positively play a greater role in addressing regional and international issues. This will be a valuable experience for Vietnam to confidently continue its responsibility at the UN Security Council./.

Compiled by BTA

RELATED NEWS

Comment
FullName
Email
Contents

/

Confirm