Vietnam hands over APG Chairmanship to India in Vienna
VOV.VN - Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna, Austria, has handed over the Chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) in Vienna to Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran, head of the Indian Mission.
The handover ceremony was held solemnly in Vienna on July 2, with the participation of delegates from APG member states.
In his remarks, Hoang emphasised that the spirit of solidarity, inclusiveness, and cooperation within the APG has been maintained and further promoted throughout Vietnam’s tenure as Coordinator from December 2024 to June 2025.
He thanked the APG member countries for their trust and strong support, and expressed his belief that under India’s chairmanship, the APG would continue to enhance its role and common voice in multilateral forums in Vienna.
During its six-month term, Vietnam chaired and participated in several prominent activities, affirming the active and proactive role of the APG in multilateral mechanisms and the United Nations.
Notably, Vietnam delivered a speech on behalf of the Group at the Asia–Pacific Collaborative Get-together with UNIDO on South-South cooperation for an inclusive future in the region, held on January 23, 2025.
It represented the APG at major meetings such as the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND68), the 34th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ34), and the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC). It also coordinated regular consultations between the APG and the Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors.
Vietnam, in collaboration with UNODC and Indonesia, successfully organised the APG meeting on the UNTOC review mechanism on March 27, 2025, and delivered a speech at a UNODC side event during CCPCJ34, sharing experiences and common regional challenges.
In addition, it hosted thematic discussions with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in May 2025 and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in June 2025, providing updated information and assisting member states in preparing for technical meetings.
Vietnam’s successful completion of the APG Chairmanship helped strengthen the Group’s credibility and standing in multilateral activities in Vienna, while also reaffirming the country’s commitment to promoting regional and international cooperation in a constructive and inclusive manner. The country also pledged to continue supporting and working alongside India during its upcoming term to further enhance the APG’s role within the United Nations system in Vienna.
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