Vietnam reaffirms commitment to protecting children in armed conflicts
Ambassador Do Hung Viet underscored Vietnam’s support for integrating child protection across all stages of peace processes and identifying it as a core component of peacekeeping operations.
Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, speaks at a debate on peace in Africa. (Photo: VNA)
New York (VNA)🌜 – Vietnam condemns all acts of violence against children and calls for the immediate cessation of violations of children's rights in armed conflicts, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, stressed on June 26.
Addressing a UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate on children and armed conflicts, Viet stressed that prevention must be the top priority, particularly through addressing the root causes of conflict and reducing risks of violence against children.
He underscored Vietnam’s support for integrating child protection across all stages of peace processes and identifying it as a core component of peacekeeping operations.
On this occasion, the diplomat highlighted Vietnam’s notable contributions during its 2020–2021 term as a non-permanent UNSC member. These include the promotion of Resolution 2573 on protecting essential civilian infrastructure in conflict, a Presidential statement on addressing the consequences of explosive remnants of war, and the initiation of discussions on protecting women and children in armed conflicts.
The debate brought together representatives from the UN Secretariat, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and more than 90 UN member states, reflecting the international community’s strong determination on the protection of children in conflict situations.
According to the UN Secretary-General's latest report on children and armed conflict, more than 41,000 grave violations against children were documented in 2024 — a 25% increase compared to 2023 — marking the highest number since the UN’s children-related monitoring and reporting mechanism was established in 2005.
Country representatives expressed grave concern over the growing number of violations, particularly sexual violence and the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas. They called on all relevant parties to uphold international law and relevant UNSC resolutions, intensify preventive measures, strengthen international cooperation and humanitarian assistance, and increase resources for child protection and reintegration programmes.
On June 25, Ambassador Viet also participated in a high-level thematic debate on the multifaceted aspects of peace and security in Africa and the future of peacekeeping operations, chaired by the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
In his remarks, he emphasised the UN's central role in fostering sustainable peace in the continent, calling for enhanced strategic and effective cooperation. He advocated a people- and community-centred approach to address the root causes of threats.
The Vietnamese diplomat proposed the development of an evaluation mechanism to improve the efficiency of peacekeeping operations and urged sustainable financing for UN peacekeeping missions as well as the initiatives led by the African Union (AU). He affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to make greater contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
The same day, Viet attended and delivered remarks at an informal plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly commemorating the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, which was presided over by the Permanent Representative of Singapore on behalf of the Forum of Small States (FOSS)./
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has allocated 5.5 million USD to fund two news projects to support the Government of Vietnam with technical and financial support from UNFPA to address gender-based violence against women and girls, especially marginalised groups such as people living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ communities.
UNICEF always acknowledges and supports Vietnam's policies, strategies, and activities in promoting and protecting children's rights, its Representative in Vietnam Silvia Danailov told Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan during their meeting in Hanoi on January 7.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
