Promoting the role of regional organisations in settling disputes is one of the three priorities that Vietnam has set for the month it serves as chairman of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in April, said Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Organisations Do Hung Viet.
Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Organisations Do Hung Viet (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Promoting the role of regional organisations in
settling disputes is one of the three priorities that Vietnam has set for the
month it serves as chairman of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in April, said Director
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Organisations
Do Hung Viet.
In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Viet said that Vietnam will
serve as the rotary Chairman of the UNSC for the second time during its
2020-2021 tenure as a non-permanent member, which is an important task for the
country.
The country has made thorough consideration in setting the
three priorities to ensure that they suit the interests and concerns of both
Vietnam and the international community.
According to Viet, regional organisations are important
partners in addressing regional issues, because they have good understanding of
the relations between countries in the region as well as regional history and
culture. Therefore, they could make specific and practical contributions to the
search for solutions to regional problems.
The second priority is the settlement of bomb and mine consequences, which is
both a global issue and a matter of significance to Vietnam.
Viet cited statistics that showed some 60 countries worldwide are affected by unexploded
ordnances, with around 15,000 people injured or dead every year.
The third priority during Vietnam’s chairmanship is to protect infrastructure
essential for residents in conflicted areas.
A meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (Photo: VNA)When serving as chair of the UNSC for the first time during the tenure in
January 2020, Vietnam had skillfully and effectively handled the differences
among countries, following its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance,
diversification and multilateralisation, according to Viet. He added that Vietnam
has good relations with many countries worldwide, including the UNSC permanent members.
This is a favourable condition for the nation to carry out missions of a UNSC
Chair.
However, the official said formidable challenges are ahead due to complicated
developments of global and regional politics and security. In addition, the
COVID-19 pandemic has forced the UNSC switch its meetings and discussions from
in-person to online format, which pose certain difficulties to the process of
exchange, discussion and negotiation.
He added that Vietnam had considerable experience in holding online conferences
during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, so the country is confident it can
excellently perform its role as the UNSC Chair next month.
As an active and prestigious ASEAN member, Vietnam will also work to promote
ASEAN roles at the UNSC, he said, adding Vietnam will invite Brunei – the ASEAN
Chair in 2021 to attend a UNSC meeting on the role of regional organisations in
preventing disputes, where it will highlight ASEAN’s efforts in boosting trust
and enhancing dialogues to tackle regional issues./.