Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam's membership to the United Nations (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Promoting effectivecooperation with the United Nations (UN) is always a top priority of Vietnam’sforeign policies, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said while addressing aceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership to the UN in Hanoion October 17.
Since its establishment in 1945, the UN has beenleading in the world in peacekeeping activities, preventing conflicts,promoting cooperation and development, and ensuring human rights, the PM said.
He recalled the event on September 20, 1977 whenthe UN General Assembly admitted Vietnam as the 149th member, which marks theUN’s recognition of the independence, freedom and unification of the SoutheastAsian country, progressing to “Doi moi” (renewal) and internationalintegration.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government andpeople, the PM thanked the UN and international community for their valuableassistance for Vietnam over the past four decades.
He noted that development and cooperationtargets could only be achieved in the condition of peace and stability, whichis particularly meaningful to the Asian-Pacific region.
Vietnam hopes the UN will further promote itsrole in maintaining peace, international security, preventing and acceleratingthe settlement of disputes via peaceful means and on the basis of respectingthe UN Chapter and international law, he said.
Vietnam pledges to continue to be a member of UNagencies and expand peacekeeping operation as well as implement the sustainabledevelopment agenda and the Paris agreement on climate change, he said.
The country hopes to receive internationalsupport to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021tenure, he added.
The PM also called on the UN, developmentpartners and international friends to continuously support Vietnam to implementsuccessfully its renewal process to achieve sustainable development andprosperity.
On this occasion, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a congratulatory messageto the Vietnamese people and Government, saying that the internationalcommunity has considered Vietnam, with numerous efforts in Doi moi, as asuccessful example of development.
He applauded Vietnam’s commitments to the South-South Cooperation and affirmed theUN’s commitment to continue strong cooperation with the country, whileexpressing his hope that the country will further engage in UN peacekeepingoperations.
In his speech, UN Resident Coordinator toVietnam Kamal Malhotra highly valued Vietnam-UN cooperation over the past fourdecades. He hailed Vietnam’s efforts in achieving most of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) before 2015, voicing his belief that with its strongpolitical resolve and experience in the MDGs realisation, the country willattain the Sustainable Development Goals with greater results.
From an ODA receiver, Vietnam has become adevelopment partner, actively contributed to the maintenance of internationalpeace and security, and helped to prevent and peacefully solve disputes andconflicts in the world on the basis of the UN Charter, he noted.
Malhotra said UN organisations will continuesupporting the country to deal with challenges through high-level policy consultation,experience sharing, and expertise provision, thus helping to carry outinnovative and feasible solutions towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
As part of the ceremony, PM Phuc and ResidentCoordinator Malhotra cut the ribbon to launch an exhibition of the 40-yearrelationship between Vietnam and the UN.-VNA
VNA
