Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, speaks at the session. (Photo: UNESCO/VNA)The ambassador expressed her concern over the ongoingarmed conflict in Ukraine, saying it is an urgent need to exercise restraintand stop using force to avoid causing more casualties and losses to civilians.
She also emphasised the need to ensure security andsafety for civilian facilities such as schools, memorial sites, and culture, informationand communication establishment in accordance with international humanitarianlaw.
Van called for the observance of the UN Charter,especially the principles on respecting independence, sovereignty and territorialintegrity of countries, not intervening in each other’s internal affairs, notusing or threatening to use force in international relations, and addressingdisputes by peaceful measures.
Vietnam appeals to relevant sides to de-escalatetensions and resume dialogues and negotiations via all channels to reach long-termsolutions in conformity with international law, she noted.
The ambassador continued to say that Vietnam calls forthe international community to further support and facilitate dialogues betweenparties, and increase humanitarian aid to civilians.
It is necessary to ensure safety and security, andfacilitate the evacuation of foreign nationals in Ukraine, includingVietnamese, without any discrimination, Van said.
The ambassador proposed UNESCO carry forward its role inpromoting humanistic efforts to build a world of peace, sustainability andself-reliance.
At the end of the session, the UNESCO Executive Boardissued a resolution, calling on relevant sides to end the war, and UNESCO andits member countries to roll out a relief aid programme for Ukraine.
This is the seventh special session during UNESCO's 75 years of operation, held at the request of 19 members of the board./.
VNA
