UN leader Antonio Guterres extends Lunar New Year greetings to Vietnamese leaders

Meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations in New York on January 30, Guterres extended his Lunar New Year greetings to General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and the people of Vietnam.

He fondly recalled his official visit to Vietnam in 2022 and expressed his desire to return to the beautiful and hospitable country soon.

The UN leader congratulated Vietnam on its impressive socio-economic development achievements in 2024, and reaffirmed that the UN considers Vietnam a trusted partner and a responsible member with an increasingly significant role and contribution to the international community.

Ambassador Giang for his part highly valued the UN’s notable achievements under the leadership of Secretary-General Guterres over the past year, particularly efforts to promote a ceasefire in the Middle East, accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and address emerging global challenges.

Giang affirmed Vietnam’s support for the Secretary-General’s priorities across all pillars of the UN’s working agenda in 2025, emphasizing the country’s commitment to making more effective and substantive contributions to the organization’s common efforts.

He also conveyed an official invitation from the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to the UN Secretary-General to visit Hanoi at the earliest convenience. The UN leader gladly accepted the invitation and said he would arrange a visit at a suitable time in 2025.

Both Guterres and Giang highlighted the significance of 2025, when Vietnam is celebrating 80 years of national independence and the UN is celebrating its 80th anniversary, amid a world facing intertwined opportunities and challenges. Both sides pledged to enhance coordination to promote peace, security, sustainable development, and solutions to global issues.