Hanoi (VNA) – Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, deputy head ofthe Vietnamese mission to the United Nations, highlighted strengtheningcooperation and dialogue in solving challenges from armed groups andterrorists, creating development opportunities for countries in CentralAfrica.

Addressing the UN Security Council's six-month periodical meeting on the situation in Central Africaand operations of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Ambassador Anh said he shared the difficulties that countries and people in the region arefacing due to the impact of violence and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ambassador said that the root causes of instability must beaddressed in a pragmatic and comprehensive manner. That means supportingongoing diplomatic and political efforts, enhancing reconciliation efforts,addressing threats posed by armed groups and terrorists, strengthening thegovernance of natural resources and providing equitable developmentopportunities.

He emphasised that regional and subregional cooperation contributesignificantly to achieving peace, stability and development. He also welcomedregional efforts to respond to the pandemic and urged international partnersand relevant United Nations entities to provide sustained technical andfinancial assistance to countries in the region.

Francois Lounceny Fall, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Africa andhead of UNOCA, presented a report on the situation there and activities ofUNOCA.

The overall security, economic and social situation in the region remainschallenging.

Theinsecurity in some countries in the region is mainly related totensions in the election process, activities of armed groups and terrorists.Notably, the violence continued in the northwest and southwest of Cameroon,some areas in the Central African Republic and the Lake Chad Basin.

UN Security Council member countries shared concern about security challenges,socio-economic difficulties and humanitarian issues in the region. They affirmedthe necessity of strengthening cooperation among regional countries, promotingthe role of regional and sub-regional organisations in supporting themaintenance of peace and security.

Recentdevelopments in the Central African Republic and challenges to the operation ofthe United Nations Peacekeeping Mission (MINUSCA) were also discussed at themeeting.

Ambassador Anh emphasised that all parties involved must comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and consider ensuring security and safetyfor MINUSCA employees as a priority. He also underlined the need to facilitateMINUSCA fulfil its mission.

Vietnam currently has seven officers participating in UN peacekeepingoperations in the Central African Republic./.