Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, head of the Vietnamese delegation (middle, right, third row) at the election of the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam wishes to contribute to promoting the leading role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in maintaining peace and international security, specifically preventing conflicts and resolving crises.

From January 2020, Vietnam will officially assume the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. The Southeast Asian country will serve as the President of the UNSC in January 2020 and April 2021.

With a high sense of responsibility, Vietnam has carried out a number of works to take on this role well.

Vietnam's increasing prestige in international arena

Established on October 24, 1945, with the purpose of building and maintaining peace and justice globally, the United Nations has become the largest international organization in the world so far with 193 members.

According to the UN Charter, the Security Council is one of the six main UN agencies and the UN leading authority in maintaining global peace and security. The council has profound influences on many other non-traditional security areas such as climate change, water, humanitarian activities, and human rights.

Since joining the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam has been a responsible member and an active contributor to all areas of the UN activities, including the UNSC, especially in the 2008-2009 term when Vietnam first served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

Vietnam is also one of the pioneering countries in promoting peace, progress, cooperation and development in the world. In particular, participating in the UN peacekeeping activities is a highlight of Vietnam's responsible partnership.

Since 2014, Vietnam has sent dozens of officers and soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Despite harsh conditions and strict standards and procedures of the UN, Vietnamese officers and soldiers have exerted every effort to weather all difficulties and successfully fulfill their missions.

Recently, the first Level-2 field hospital, the first peacekeeping force of Vietnam to join UN peacekeeping missions, showed excellent performance in South Sudan. The second one has also been set out for South Sudan.

Vietnam's contributions to the United Nations have been highly appreciated internationally, proven by the country’s election to the UN Security Council (2008-2009), Socio-Economic Council (1998-2000 and 2016-2018), Human Rights Council (2014-2016), UNESCO Executive Council (2015-2019), and International Law Commission (2017-2021). 

Particularly, in June 2019, Vietnam was honoured with its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term with a record high of 192 out of the 193 votes in favour. This showed the credibility and recognition from the international community for Vietnam's contributions to maintaining and promoting global peace and security.

It is also a recognition and respect for the achievements by Vietnam in the renovation process such as improving the rule-of-law state and socio-economic development, narrowing the development gap between regions and population groups, and intensifying international integration.

Right after the country’s was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that Vietnam will spare no efforts to build partnerships and consensus in the Security Council to seek long-term solutions to global security and peace issues.

Vietnam will consult with other members of the UN to understand each other's interests and viewpoints, as well as share initiatives and ideas to seek similarities, narrow differences and find solutions for issues affecting the parties involved.

During the two-year term, Vietnam will focus on three key areas, namely strengthening coordination between the Security Council and regional organisations in preventing conflicts; reconstructing and building peace after conflicts; and intensifying the protection of citizens and promoting works related to women, peace, security, children, and armed conflicts.

Ready for new mission

Speaking at an international press conference about Vietnam's official assumption of the role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term (December 12, 2019), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam will take the role of the President of the UNSC in January 2020 and April 2021. In addition, in 2020, Vietnam will also assume the role of the ASEAN Chair. This will be a big challenge for Vietnam.

Aware of the great responsibility, Vietnamese ministries and departments have carried out a number of works such as reviewing and building documents on each issue for the working agenda, and setting up a mechanism of inter-sectoral coordination and consultations.

Trung said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will chair the UNSC meeting, including a ministerial discussion themed on the 75th founding anniversary of the United Nations, emphasising on the compliance with the UN Charter in maintaining international peace and security, as well as the role of regional organisations in cooperation with the UNSC in maintaining peace and security in the world.

Vietnam will also exchange ideas on issues related to the Iraqi fund, the Middle East region, and the operation of Lebanon, as well as discuss pos💯t-conflict issues, including bomb and mine clearance, humanitarian issues, women and children.

Vietnamese officers and soldiers of the second-field hospital No. 2 sent to do missions in South Sudan. (Photo: VNA)

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, while joining the UNSC, Vietnam has an excellent opportunity to implement the Party and State's foreign policy of promoting peace, cooperation and development, as well as multilateralisation and diversification of relations.

Vietnam also wishes to be an active and responsible member in the international community, he said.

The official emphasised that as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Vietnam wants to contribute to promoting the council’s leading role in maintaining international peace and security, particularly preventing conflicts and resolving crises.

Vietnam also hopes to take this opportunity to promote partnerships with countries in the UNSC and other nations, he added.

Besides advantages, Trung said Vietnam will also face difficulties in relations with powers, which will have a profound impact on the UNSC activities.

He affirmed that Vietnam's viewpoints on major international issues are positive and constructive.

Vietnam does not pursue the policy of the massive weapon development and the country is against terrorism in all forms, Trung said.

Vietnam wants to resolve international tensions and differences by peaceful means and with respect for countries’ sovereignty independence, legitima🌃te rights and interests./.