The April 29 meeting to review activities during the Month of Vietnam’s UNSC Presidency (Photo: VNA) – Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN),
on April 29 chaired a meeting to review activities during the Month of Vietnam’s
Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in April.
This is the second time Vietnam has assumed the role as President of the UNSC
during its non-permanent membership of the Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
The event saw the participation of over 70 representatives from UNSC member
states and UN observers.
During
the month, Vietnam proposed and chaired four priority events on the role of
regional organisations in enhancing
confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution, mine
action, protection of objects
indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, and
sexual violence in conflict. These topics all put people at the centre and aimed
to build and maintain sustainable peace. Along with these events, Vietnam hosted
the drafting of and promoted the adoption of three documents of the Council,
including two presidential statements and one resolution.
The most important initiative of Vietnam was the High-level
Open Debate on "Cooperation between the UN and regional organisations in
enhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and
resolution”.
This was
the first time the President of Vietnam presided over a meeting of the UNSC and
also the first important multilateral diplomatic activity of President Nguyen
Xuan Phuc since the 13th National Party Congress. After the event, the Council’s
member countries approved a presidential statement proposed by Vietnam on this
topic.
The debates on mine action and protection of objects
indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, chaired
by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, received attention and appreciation from UN
member states. This was clearly reflected in the co-sponsorship of 65 UN member
countries and the voting in favour of all 15 UNSC members for a resolution
drafted by Vietnam. Resolution 2537 emphasises the importance of complying with
international humanitarian law and ensuring humanitarian aid, especially in the
context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The UNSC also approved the first presidential
statement proposed by Vietnam on overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines.
The debate on sexual violence in conflict was also welcomed by many UN member countries.
In addition, in the month of Vietnam’s Presidency, the UNSC responded promptly
to emerging issues that threatens international peace and security, including those
in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Mali, the Great Lakes, West Sahara, Sudan, Somalia,
Libya, Abyei Area, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Colombia and Myanmar. Vietnam responded to
all the initiatives and proposals of other countries and applied creatively the
rules and practices of the UNSC, while promoting consultations and
consensus-building for the Council to make timely decisions.
As the UNSC President, Vietnam has promoted the broadest
possible participation in UNSC activities through the organisation of meetings
and discussions with the UN Secretary-General, in-person meetings among UNSC
member states, international press conferences, and many events informing UNSC
activities to UN member and observer states, non-governmental organisations,
and others.
During the month Vietnam acted as the UNSC President,
as of April 29, the Council held 27 official activities, including five open
debates, eight meetings to listen to reports, two others to vote on
resolutions, and seven to negotiate resolutions. It adopted 12 decisions,
including four resolutions and two presidential statements, along with five
press statements and one press release.
The UNSC continues its activities on April 30.
At the review meeting, representatives of UN
member states highly valued Vietnam’s priority activities, especially its
promotion of the UNSC’s attention to the aspect of humanitarian assistance and
civilian protection.
They congratulated Vietnam on successfully
fulfilling the duties of the Council President in April, noting that the
country smoothly chaired UNSC activities and managed to promote the Council’s consensus
and UN member states’ participation and contributions./.