Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang (first, left) at the online debate on May 24. (Photo: VNA)The debate, held in coordinationwith the Swiss, Senegalese and Slovenian missions, UNICEF, the International Committeeof the Red Cross, and the Peace Organisation (PAX), was part of the UN’sProtection of Civilians Week 2022.
Addressing the event, AmbassadorDang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, affirmed thecountry’s viewpoint that water security is a foundation of peace, stability anddevelopment for every country and community.
He expressed Vietnam’sconcern about the humanitarian impacts and difficulties caused by the destructionof water sources and water supply infrastructure in armed conflicts in manyplaces around the world, including Africa and the Middle East, that have mademany people homeless and triggered migration and public health crises.
In April 2021, when Vietnamheld the presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC), the council adoptedResolution 2573 on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival ofthe civilian population, including water supply systems.
This resolution wasco-sponsored by 64 UN member states, including all the 15 UNSC members, therebyaffirming the UNSC’s strong commitment to protecting civilians and promoting compliance with international humanitarian law, Giang noted.
The diplomat appealed to all parties concerned to improve awareness and promote the implementation ofobligations under international humanitarian law. He also recommended the UNSCwork out more concrete solutions to challenges posed by watersecurity loss.
At the debate, participantsshared the concern over serious consequences of the destruction or contaminationof water sources in armed conflicts, along with this issue’s adverse impacts onthe living environment and life of civilians, including vulnerable groups likewomen and children. This problem has been reported in many conflict-affected areasaround the world, from the Middle East to North Africa.
Representatives of manycountries and organisations also highly valued the UNSC’s Resolution 2573,calling for enhanced observance of related obligations under internationalhumanitarian law and for the UNSC’s further engagement in this issue./.
VNA
