Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Hanoi inthe morning of September 29, successfully wrapping up his working visit toattend the High-Level General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN GeneralAssembly in New York.

In just one day, the PM had abusy working programme with 15 activities, including attending and delivering aspeech at the general debate, holding bilateral meetings with the President ofthe UN General Assembly and the UN Secretary-General and top leaders of many countries.

He also had a dialogue withrepresentatives from major US groups, and met US friends and representativesfrom the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to the UN and the Vietnamese community inNew York.

Addressing the High-level GeneralDebate themed “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: GlobalLeadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and SustainableSocieties,” PM Phuc affirmed that the UN has truly become a symbol of globalsolidarity, the embodiment of humanity and progress, and where people’saspirations to strive for a world of peace, prosperity and equality arerealised.

“It is our consistent policy touphold the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law inthe settlement of international disputes through peaceful means, including inthe East Sea, which should be addressed on the basis of the 1982 UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea and the safeguard of maritime security and safety andfreedom of navigation and over-flight,” he stated.

Emphasising that the world isfacing new and immense obstacles, he noted power politics, the use or threat offorce and the rise of unilateral measures still threaten global peace andstability, while injustice, inequality, climate change, pollution and povertypersist.

“No single nation cansinglehandedly address the enormous global challenges,” he said, stressing thatjoint efforts and collaboration of all nations are needed. 

The international communityshould uphold “dual responsibility” in which each nation and individual shouldtake additional responsibility for addressing global issues.

Laying stress on the importantrole of the UN in the creation of new foundations to address global challengesin an effective manner, PM Phuc suggested the UN to strengthen cooperation withregions, particularly the UN-ASEAN High-level Cooperation mechanism,highlighting the UN more within ASEAN, and ASEAN more within the UN.

As Vietnam has submitted itscandidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the2020-2021 term, he thanked the 53 countries of the Asia-Pacific for endorsingVietnam as the sole candidate of the region.

“Vietnam commits to being anactive and responsible member of the international community and the UnitedNations”, he emphasised.

On the sidelines of the event, PMPhuc had separate meetings with President of the UN General Assembly MariaFernanda Espinosa Garces and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Presidentof the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel, BulgarianPrime Minister Boyko Borisov, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic,Fijian President Jioji Konrote, and Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanetto discuss measures to boost Vietnam’s cooperation with the UN, and the fiveabove-mentioned countries.

The Vietnamese leader alsoreceived Senior Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Phil Falcone, andDirector of Warburg Pincus Timothy Geithner, and met representatives from morethan 40 leading businesses of the US.

Calling for more US investmentsin Vietnam, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always opens it doors to welcomeforeign investors.

The PM’s trip is of significance,affirming Vietnam’s role and commitments to joining hands with other UN membersto address global challenges, and conveying the country’s message ofstrengthening global partnership for a peaceful, equal and sustainablydeveloping world for all people.-VNA