Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (Source: VNA)

ASEAN continually focuses on promoting cooperation with the United Nations to address and resolve global security challenges, said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations.

Speaking on behalf of ASEAN at the Open Debate of the Security Council on
“Regional organisations and contemporary challenges of global security” in New York on August 18, Nga said “ASEAN and the UN have been partners in addressing issues of common interest and concern within the region and beyond”.

Maintaining international peace and security currently faces increasingly complex threats in both traditional and non-traditional senses, Nga stressed, adding that ASEAN has strived to strengthen its ability to address regional security challenges in accordance with its Charter.

She affirmed that ASEAN has made significant progress in making an ASEAN Community a reality, including advancements made under the Political-Security pillar.

The group works closely with dialogue partners in various ASEAN-led mechanisms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN +3 (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and leads efforts to build a regional architecture conducive to regional stability and prosperity.

ASEAN member states are also working with partners to develop tools for conflict prevention and peaceful dispute settlements, including a code of conduct in the East Sea.

Nga stressed that the best way to address common challenges is to build consensus, and respect the views of all parties concerned and the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes.

༒ Ending her speech, the ambassador said ASEAN looks forward to continued UN support for ASEAN centrality in the regional security architecture. She also reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to contributing to UN activities, saying that ASEAN stands ready to work closely with the UN and other partners in their joint efforts to address new challenges.-VNA