President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers his statement at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September 22. (Photo: VNA)New York (VNA) – Vietnamese PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a statement at the general debate of the 76th sessionof the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September22 (local time).
The following is the full text of the statement.
Mr. President,
Iwish to extend my congratulations to Mr. Abdullah Shahid on the assumption ofhis duties as the President of the 76th UNGA. I am convinced thatunder his able leadership and with his vast experience, he will lead oursession to success.
Ihighly appreciate the significant contributions of Mr. Volkan Bozkir in hiscapacity as the President of the 75th UNGA. I also wish to, onceagain, congratulate Mr. Antonio Guterres on his re-election as the UNSecretary-General. I believe that, with hisperseverance and dedication, he will work to realize the Organization’s directions and priorities in theyears to come.
Mr. President,
The UNGA thisyear convenes against a unique backdrop, as the COVID-19 pandemic is jeopardizing the people’s lives worldwide. Ibelieve that all our thoughts these days are with our countries and our people.And my heart yearns for my homeland Vietnam, where the entire nation isvigorously combating this pandemic to protect the health and lives of thepeople, to sustain economic growth and to ensure social security, leaving noone behind.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers his statement at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September 22. (Photo: VNA)Nostatistical figures can truly measure grief and loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is, above all, the loss of lives, and subsequentlysevere economic damages and far-reaching impacts on societies and the people’swell-being. The pandemic sounds a warning bell of the shocking destruction thatmay be caused by non-traditional security challenges such as diseases orclimate change, if they are not addressed at timely and decisively.
The pandemic has also exposed theshortcomings of the global governance system and the increasing inequalityamong nations.
Nonetheless, COVID-19 is not the solechallenge that we are facing today. Increasing tensions among major powers has ledto a divisive and unstable international system. Wars are taking the lives ofmany innocent people. Disputes over territories and resources in many areas areon the verge of erupting. The rise of power politics, the disregard forinternational law, and the unilateral acts of coercion and hindrance againstcountries in exercising their legal rights are still taking place in manyregions.
In that gloomy picture, what reallymotivates us are the strong desire for peace, cooperation and development amongthe people around the globe, and our recognition of the importance ofinternational solidarity and multilateralism.
The United Nations - with its 75-yearexperience in preserving peace and nurturing friendly, just and equitableinternational relations - continues to assert its key role in the multilateralsystem. The Organization continues to effectively coordinate global efforts torespond to global challenges that cannot be resolved by any one country actingalone.
Against such backdrop, I fully support the themeproposed by Mr. President. And let me share some of my thoughts.
First,our most urgent task today is to expeditiously contain COVID-19 worldwide. Theworld cannot be safe if any single person or country still suffers from thispandemic. Vietnamvalues the role of UN agencies and other multilateral institutions,particularly the COVAX Facility in promoting fair and equitable access to COVID-19vaccines and medications.
For the pandemic to be repelled, itis essential that we stand in solidarity, uphold a high sense ofresponsibility, and step up cooperation. Particularly, priority allocation ofvaccines should be given to nations with a low vaccination rate. And developingcountries should be enabled to engage in vaccine production and supply chains.
Second,the key solution to contain the pandemic and foster economic recovery lies inour ability to strengthen our own resilience, particularly in face of crises.But this does not mean that we have to do it alone. Resilience can only besustained if it is based upon cooperation and connectivity among nations,particularly at a time when non-traditional security challenges do not knowborders and can impact any nation.
We value the role played by the UNsystem and expect that it will continue to support member states’ efforts tobuild resilience, accommodating the interests and concerns of all countries.
Third,the challenges we face can be turnedinto development opportunities. As our daily lives as well as production andbusiness activities have to undergo changes to adapt to the pandemic, this isan opportunity for digital transformation, utilization of novel technologies,and enhanced productivity, competitiveness and self-reliance of our economies.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers his statement at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September 22. (Photo: VNA)It is also a chance for us to pursuegreen transformation, sustainable development, trade and investmentfacilitation. We should also work together in promoting the flow of goods andpeople and maintaining global supply chains.
The 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment provides us with an excellent blueprint for seizing such opportunities,and calls for enhanced cooperation. We call upon all countries to fulfill theirfinancing for development commitments, reschedule debt payments by developingcountries, and provide these countries with necessary resources to containCOVID-19 and foster recovery, thereby turning opportunities into concretedevelopment outcomes.
Fourth,cooperation in mitigating and preventing the dire impacts of climate change hasbecome more crucial than ever before. Harsh weather conditions, sea level rise,environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation are the cumulativeconsequences of decades of mankind’s reckless quest for development.
Thosechallenges are pushing us into acting promptlyto safeguard our planet and realize the internationally agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
As we are heading toward COP-26, weneed to make every effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, in which developedcountries should take the lead. Developing countries should receive furtherassistance in financing, technology transfer and capacity-building so as toreduce emissions, and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation in ways thatfoster transition towards green and circular economy. This is a sharedopportunity for us to ensure the harmony between man and nature.
Fifth,the pre-requisite to fostering recovery and growth in the post-pandemic era is tosustain peace, security, and stability ineach country, each region, and the world at large. Vietnam calls for a globalceasefire and an end to all violence to ensure the safety of civilians andfacilitate humanitarian assistance in areas of conflicts.
Vietnam has undergone decades of wars toreclaim independence and national reunification,escape isolation and embargoes. We have made every effort to mobilize our internal strengths, upholdself-reliance, and adapt ourselves to the prevailing trends of our time toachieve our potential, international standing and prestige today.
We understand thoroughly the meaningof “nothing is more precious thanindependence and freedom,” and of peace and development of each nation. Vietnamcondemns all acts of war and power politics, and violations of the fundamentalprinciples of the UN Charter and international law.
More than ever before, all actors ininternational relations need to act in good faith and uphold responsibility,while avoiding tensions and confrontation. We should together strive to reshapeinternational ties and build trust among countries on the basis of equality andcooperation. We must also respect the independence, sovereignty, territorialintegrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and resolvedisputes by peaceful means.
At this august forum, we once again reaffirmour solidarity with the people of Cuba, and reiterate our strong call for acomplete end to the unilateral embargoes against Cuba.
We hope that the situation inAfghanistan will soon stabilize for the Afghan people, particularly women andchildren, to be able to live in peace. We support the just struggle of thePalestinian people and the two-state solution towards the establishment of anindependent Palestinian State living in peace alongside the State of Israel.
Mr.President,
After 35 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has madehistoric accomplishments. We are aiming to become a high-income developed country by 2045, on the centenaryanniversary of Vietnam’s independence.
The aspiration for a strong and prosperous Vietnam canonly be realized when the country is truly a law-governed state of the people,for the people and by the people, and is able to invoke the patriotism,perseverance, great national solidarity and innovation of the entire nation.
Vietnam ispursuing a people-centered approach, and is striving to achieve social progressand equality, preserve cultural values, and protect the environment, whilepromoting sustainable and inclusive development. This is closely aligned withthe SDGs that we endeavor to fulfill.
Vietnam hasbeen pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace,friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification andmultilateralization of external relations. As a responsible member of theinternational community, Vietnam isproactively and actively engaged in extensive international integration, makingresponsible contributions to the concerted efforts of the internationalcommunity.
Vietnam wholeheartedly support multilateralism, with the UN at thecenter, and international law as the foundation. We uphold the purposes andprinciples of the UN Charter, and endeavor to make substantial contributions toa more democratic and effective UN.
We will always remember and treasurethe UN’s invaluable assistance accorded to Vietnam. The fruits of Vietnam’s reform andintegration owe partly to the resources and policy advice the UN developmentsystem has been rendering to us over the years.
Inthe region, Vietnam is working closely with fellow ASEAN members to promoteASEAN centrality in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity inSoutheast Asia and the Asia-Pacific at large.
TheASEAN - UN relations has constantly been consolidated and developed, becoming arole model for cooperation between the UN and other regional organizations. Weare making vigorous efforts to implement the Five-point Consensus endorsed byASEAN Leaders to foster dialogue, reconciliation, and humanitarian assistanceto the people of Myanmar.
Vietnamshares ASEAN’s position and the international community’s common voice on theimportance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety, freedom ofnavigation and overflight in the South China Sea. We believe that all partiesshould refrain from unilateral actions that may further complicate thesituation, resolve disputes and differences through peaceful means in line withthe UN Charter and international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982. It is alsonecessary to fully observe the Declaration of Conduct by parties in the SouthChina Sea, and soon achieve a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in linewith international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
Mr.President,
On this momentous occasion, on behalfof the State and people of Vietnam, I sincerely thank all member countries forthe trust placed in Vietnam in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the term 2020-2021. Over thepast almost two years, Vietnam has always upheld the principle of “Partnership for sustainable peace.” Wehave promoted dialogue and cooperation, and actively joined the concertedefforts to prevent and address conflicts. Vietnam has advocated strengtheningthe upholding of the UN Charter and international law, bolstering cooperationwith regional organizations, conflict prevention, mine action, and the protectionof civilians and civilian critical infrastructure in armed conflicts.
The national flag of Vietnam isflying high at the UN Peacekeeping Missions in South Sudan and the CentralAfrican Republic, and it will soon be flying in other UN Missions as well. Withour desire to make further contributions to the work at the UN, Vietnam isrunning for a seat at the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, and atother important UN agencies. We look forward to the continued support from allcountries in this endeavor.
Mr. President
The pathahead will not be easy. But I am convinced that the world people’s hearts willbeat as one. Vietnam will work with countries and people around the world sothat together we can prevail over the pandemic, and build a world of peace, prosperityand happiness for all. And this will be a glorious victory for us all.
Thank you./.
The following is the full text of the statement.
Mr. President,
Iwish to extend my congratulations to Mr. Abdullah Shahid on the assumption ofhis duties as the President of the 76th UNGA. I am convinced thatunder his able leadership and with his vast experience, he will lead oursession to success.
Ihighly appreciate the significant contributions of Mr. Volkan Bozkir in hiscapacity as the President of the 75th UNGA. I also wish to, onceagain, congratulate Mr. Antonio Guterres on his re-election as the UNSecretary-General. I believe that, with hisperseverance and dedication, he will work to realize the Organization’s directions and priorities in theyears to come.
Mr. President,
The UNGA thisyear convenes against a unique backdrop, as the COVID-19 pandemic is jeopardizing the people’s lives worldwide. Ibelieve that all our thoughts these days are with our countries and our people.And my heart yearns for my homeland Vietnam, where the entire nation isvigorously combating this pandemic to protect the health and lives of thepeople, to sustain economic growth and to ensure social security, leaving noone behind.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers his statement at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September 22. (Photo: VNA)The pandemic has also exposed theshortcomings of the global governance system and the increasing inequalityamong nations.
Nonetheless, COVID-19 is not the solechallenge that we are facing today. Increasing tensions among major powers has ledto a divisive and unstable international system. Wars are taking the lives ofmany innocent people. Disputes over territories and resources in many areas areon the verge of erupting. The rise of power politics, the disregard forinternational law, and the unilateral acts of coercion and hindrance againstcountries in exercising their legal rights are still taking place in manyregions.
In that gloomy picture, what reallymotivates us are the strong desire for peace, cooperation and development amongthe people around the globe, and our recognition of the importance ofinternational solidarity and multilateralism.
The United Nations - with its 75-yearexperience in preserving peace and nurturing friendly, just and equitableinternational relations - continues to assert its key role in the multilateralsystem. The Organization continues to effectively coordinate global efforts torespond to global challenges that cannot be resolved by any one country actingalone.
Against such backdrop, I fully support the themeproposed by Mr. President. And let me share some of my thoughts.
First,our most urgent task today is to expeditiously contain COVID-19 worldwide. Theworld cannot be safe if any single person or country still suffers from thispandemic. Vietnamvalues the role of UN agencies and other multilateral institutions,particularly the COVAX Facility in promoting fair and equitable access to COVID-19vaccines and medications.
For the pandemic to be repelled, itis essential that we stand in solidarity, uphold a high sense ofresponsibility, and step up cooperation. Particularly, priority allocation ofvaccines should be given to nations with a low vaccination rate. And developingcountries should be enabled to engage in vaccine production and supply chains.
Second,the key solution to contain the pandemic and foster economic recovery lies inour ability to strengthen our own resilience, particularly in face of crises.But this does not mean that we have to do it alone. Resilience can only besustained if it is based upon cooperation and connectivity among nations,particularly at a time when non-traditional security challenges do not knowborders and can impact any nation.
We value the role played by the UNsystem and expect that it will continue to support member states’ efforts tobuild resilience, accommodating the interests and concerns of all countries.
Third,the challenges we face can be turnedinto development opportunities. As our daily lives as well as production andbusiness activities have to undergo changes to adapt to the pandemic, this isan opportunity for digital transformation, utilization of novel technologies,and enhanced productivity, competitiveness and self-reliance of our economies.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers his statement at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the US, on September 22. (Photo: VNA)The 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment provides us with an excellent blueprint for seizing such opportunities,and calls for enhanced cooperation. We call upon all countries to fulfill theirfinancing for development commitments, reschedule debt payments by developingcountries, and provide these countries with necessary resources to containCOVID-19 and foster recovery, thereby turning opportunities into concretedevelopment outcomes.
Fourth,cooperation in mitigating and preventing the dire impacts of climate change hasbecome more crucial than ever before. Harsh weather conditions, sea level rise,environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation are the cumulativeconsequences of decades of mankind’s reckless quest for development.
Thosechallenges are pushing us into acting promptlyto safeguard our planet and realize the internationally agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
As we are heading toward COP-26, weneed to make every effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, in which developedcountries should take the lead. Developing countries should receive furtherassistance in financing, technology transfer and capacity-building so as toreduce emissions, and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation in ways thatfoster transition towards green and circular economy. This is a sharedopportunity for us to ensure the harmony between man and nature.
Fifth,the pre-requisite to fostering recovery and growth in the post-pandemic era is tosustain peace, security, and stability ineach country, each region, and the world at large. Vietnam calls for a globalceasefire and an end to all violence to ensure the safety of civilians andfacilitate humanitarian assistance in areas of conflicts.
Vietnam has undergone decades of wars toreclaim independence and national reunification,escape isolation and embargoes. We have made every effort to mobilize our internal strengths, upholdself-reliance, and adapt ourselves to the prevailing trends of our time toachieve our potential, international standing and prestige today.
We understand thoroughly the meaningof “nothing is more precious thanindependence and freedom,” and of peace and development of each nation. Vietnamcondemns all acts of war and power politics, and violations of the fundamentalprinciples of the UN Charter and international law.
More than ever before, all actors ininternational relations need to act in good faith and uphold responsibility,while avoiding tensions and confrontation. We should together strive to reshapeinternational ties and build trust among countries on the basis of equality andcooperation. We must also respect the independence, sovereignty, territorialintegrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and resolvedisputes by peaceful means.
At this august forum, we once again reaffirmour solidarity with the people of Cuba, and reiterate our strong call for acomplete end to the unilateral embargoes against Cuba.
We hope that the situation inAfghanistan will soon stabilize for the Afghan people, particularly women andchildren, to be able to live in peace. We support the just struggle of thePalestinian people and the two-state solution towards the establishment of anindependent Palestinian State living in peace alongside the State of Israel.
Mr.President,
After 35 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has madehistoric accomplishments. We are aiming to become a high-income developed country by 2045, on the centenaryanniversary of Vietnam’s independence.
The aspiration for a strong and prosperous Vietnam canonly be realized when the country is truly a law-governed state of the people,for the people and by the people, and is able to invoke the patriotism,perseverance, great national solidarity and innovation of the entire nation.
Vietnam ispursuing a people-centered approach, and is striving to achieve social progressand equality, preserve cultural values, and protect the environment, whilepromoting sustainable and inclusive development. This is closely aligned withthe SDGs that we endeavor to fulfill.
Vietnam hasbeen pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace,friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification andmultilateralization of external relations. As a responsible member of theinternational community, Vietnam isproactively and actively engaged in extensive international integration, makingresponsible contributions to the concerted efforts of the internationalcommunity.
Vietnam wholeheartedly support multilateralism, with the UN at thecenter, and international law as the foundation. We uphold the purposes andprinciples of the UN Charter, and endeavor to make substantial contributions toa more democratic and effective UN.
We will always remember and treasurethe UN’s invaluable assistance accorded to Vietnam. The fruits of Vietnam’s reform andintegration owe partly to the resources and policy advice the UN developmentsystem has been rendering to us over the years.
Inthe region, Vietnam is working closely with fellow ASEAN members to promoteASEAN centrality in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity inSoutheast Asia and the Asia-Pacific at large.
TheASEAN - UN relations has constantly been consolidated and developed, becoming arole model for cooperation between the UN and other regional organizations. Weare making vigorous efforts to implement the Five-point Consensus endorsed byASEAN Leaders to foster dialogue, reconciliation, and humanitarian assistanceto the people of Myanmar.
Vietnamshares ASEAN’s position and the international community’s common voice on theimportance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety, freedom ofnavigation and overflight in the South China Sea. We believe that all partiesshould refrain from unilateral actions that may further complicate thesituation, resolve disputes and differences through peaceful means in line withthe UN Charter and international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982. It is alsonecessary to fully observe the Declaration of Conduct by parties in the SouthChina Sea, and soon achieve a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in linewith international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
Mr.President,
On this momentous occasion, on behalfof the State and people of Vietnam, I sincerely thank all member countries forthe trust placed in Vietnam in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the term 2020-2021. Over thepast almost two years, Vietnam has always upheld the principle of “Partnership for sustainable peace.” Wehave promoted dialogue and cooperation, and actively joined the concertedefforts to prevent and address conflicts. Vietnam has advocated strengtheningthe upholding of the UN Charter and international law, bolstering cooperationwith regional organizations, conflict prevention, mine action, and the protectionof civilians and civilian critical infrastructure in armed conflicts.
The national flag of Vietnam isflying high at the UN Peacekeeping Missions in South Sudan and the CentralAfrican Republic, and it will soon be flying in other UN Missions as well. Withour desire to make further contributions to the work at the UN, Vietnam isrunning for a seat at the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, and atother important UN agencies. We look forward to the continued support from allcountries in this endeavor.
Mr. President
The pathahead will not be easy. But I am convinced that the world people’s hearts willbeat as one. Vietnam will work with countries and people around the world sothat together we can prevail over the pandemic, and build a world of peace, prosperityand happiness for all. And this will be a glorious victory for us all.
Thank you./.
VNA
