Hanoi (VNA) – The comprehensive partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) has been growingstronger than ever in recent years, UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres said at the 11th ASEAN-UN Summit held online on November15.

In his speech, Guterres congratulatedVietnam on its role as ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UnitedNations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, and expressed his deepestcondolences to the country over human losses caused by recent floods and landslides thisyear.

“The United Nations stands withthe Vietnamese people and government,” the Secretary-Generalsaid.

Guterres pointed out an array of issues such as aglobal pandemic, climate emergency, rising geo-political tensions, the risk ofnuclear proliferation, persistent poverty, growing inequality and intenseconflicts, among others.

Meanwhile, the worldis on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, hecontinued.

“I count on yourleadership and your resolve for urgent actions to safeguard our shared world,” the UN chief stressed.

On this occasion, theUN Secretary-General welcomed ASEAN’s support for the nuclear non-proliferationregime and his call for a global ceasefire.

Regarding theCOVID-19 pandemic, he commended the group’s swift and effective response, saying hewelcomed ASEAN’s commitments to regional solidarity and internationalcooperation.

The UN welcomed ASEAN’scomprehensive recovery framework and stands ready to work with the bloc tobuild resilience, improve preparedness and safeguard the environment, Guterres said.

He reiterated his appealat the 10th ASEAN-UN Summit for robust actions in the Asian region toreverse climate change.

Guterresalso thanked ASEAN forits contribution of 5,000 peacekeepers to the UN operations.

Regarding the EastSea, the Secretary-General appreciated ASEAN’s commitments and efforts to reach a peaceful resolutionin line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of theSea (UNCLOS).

In his remarks, VietnamesePrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hailed the UN’s role in coordinating actions ofcountries over the past 75 years, as well as its contributions to ensuringpeace and promoting sustainable development in the world.

The principles of theUN Charter have helped to adjust the present international relations, he said.

The PM said ASEAN hasproven its central and inevitable role in promoting dialogue and cooperation incommon matters for peace, development and stability in the region.

The bloc has alsoconstructively contributed to international efforts led by the UN for peace,security and sustainable development in the world, he added.

Echoing Guterres’s view, PM Phuc said therelationship between ASEAN and the UN has become a model of cooperation betweenthe UN and regional organisations.

Therelationship is of significance in the context of the present complex situation,with unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, theVietnamese leader stressed.