NA leader receives UN Secretary General Guterres in Hanoi

Hue highly appreciated the positive and effective contributions of UN organizations such as UNDP and UNICEF to the National Assembly of Vietnam, helping to improve the working capacity of people elected agencies and the skills of their deputies.

He said that as soon as the UN 2030 sustainable development agenda was adopted, the National Assembly of Vietnam was one of the first in the world to concretize and institutionalize all policy frameworks of sustainable development into the legal system, and its five -year and 10-year development strategies.

Vietnam pursues a consistent policy of sustainable development and inclusive development to ensure no one is left behind, Hue told his guest.

According to the legislative leader, Vietnam is completing the legal system in a synchronous manner according to international standards and new-generation free trade agreements that Vietnam has committed to, to ensure the legal framework for international integration in a proactive, positive, and responsible manner.

He suggested that the UN help strengthen connections between the National Assembly of Vietnam and UN agencies and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as well as with other relevant multilateral mechanisms, creating conditions for it to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and learn from international experiences.

He also expected that the UN would continue to support National Assembly agencies in improving their capacity and skills, including in perfecting legislation and in overseeing the implementation of national socio-economic development programmes, as well as effectively integrating the country’s sustainable development goals and its international commitments.

Regarding digital transformation and energy transformation, Hue suggested that the UN should play the leading role in shaping and promoting international cooperation frameworks to strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy transformation and digital transformation.

The National Assembly of Vietnam is focusing its efforts on these two challenges to promulgate appropriate institutional frameworks, take advantage of opportunities, and overcome challenges and risks to ensure development, he said.

On sea and ocean related issues, the National Assembly leader affirmed that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) dubbed the constitution on seas and oceans governs all activities on the seas and oceans.

Vietnam stands ready to support efforts of the international community to deal with common challenges such as terrorism, piracy, pollution of the marine environment, and acts of using force or threatening to use force affecting peace, friendship, security, safety and freedom of navigation, he stated.

He expressed hope the United Nations would understand and share Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue and issues related to the safety and freedom of navigation under UNCLOS 1982.

For his part, UN Secretary General Guterres welcomed Hue’s proposals, and shared difficulties Vietnam has met in undertaking digital transformation and energy transformation. He said the UN stays ready to send experts to Vietnam to realize its transformation goals.

With regard to the East Sea issue, Guterres welcomed Vietnam’s initiatives and affirmed that the UN always gives its best support in accordance with the framework of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Hanoi on October 21 for a two-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During his stay, UN leader Guterres held talks with President Phuc, met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and co-chaired a ceremony to mark 45 years of Vietnam’s UN membership.