At the plenary session on “Ensuring Stability in a Competitive World,” Gen. Giang reiterated that Vietnam remains steadfast in its principles of independent foreign policy and self-reliant defence, while emphasising peaceful resolution of disputes and dialogue as a prerequisite for stability.

He warned of unprecedented geopolitical volatility, including intensified strategic rivalry among major powers, the risk of arms races, and the erosion of multilateral institutions. The rise of power politics and narrow nationalism is challenging international law, eroding multilateral institutions and undermining global trust in cooperation.

Those challenges, he said, demand strict adherence to the UN Charter, international law, and the principle of sovereign equality. Countries must honour their commitments and respect equality, independence, sovereignty, and the legitimate interests of all nations, regardless of size or power.

Unilateral actions or imposition will inevitably lead to suspicion, conflict, and disagreement, hindering joint efforts to address common security challenges, he said, citing the guiding principle of late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, that “with goodwill, we can turn major issues into minor ones, minor ones into trivial ones, and trivial ones into nothing at all.”

In such context, peace, cooperation, and development continue to be the prevailing global trends, and the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions remain among the most dynamic areas of growth, he noted.

He also highlighted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, along with breakthroughs in science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is opening up vast opportunities for development.

While acknowledging that Vietnam is not immune to global challenges, the Defence Minister said that the country is actively seizing emerging opportunities to advance its development.

With regard to the East Sea (known internationally as South China Sea) issue, Gen. Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance, stressing that the country is committed to resolving all disputes through peaceful means. He emphasised adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and called for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

The Defence Minister also expressed Vietnam’s desire to accelerate the establishment of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) to help maintain peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.

Gen. Giang praised the Shangri-La Dialogue along with other major international security forums such as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Moscow International Security Conference, and the Munich Security Conference. He said these platforms offer valuable opportunities for nations to share perspectives, foster mutual understanding, and build trust for more effective cooperation.

He further said that regional multilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially those led by ASEAN, have proven effective in promoting shared development. Vietnam, he stressed, stands ready to actively participate in and support these efforts as a responsible and committed member of the international community.

Gen. Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to being a responsible and active member of ASEAN, while calling on other countries to support ASEAN’s central role and help strengthen the bloc’s autonomy and resilience.

He asserted that the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam is committed to engaging in good faith with countries around the world through practical and effective cooperation mechanisms. He expressed a strong desire to promote dialogue and collaboration based on the rule of law, mutual respect, and unity in diversity, with the shared goal of fostering regional and global peace, stability, security, and prosperity.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s painful history of war, General Giang underlined the country’s deep appreciation for peace and stability. He affirmed Vietnam’s unwavering pursuit of an independent, self-reliant foreign policy while promoting multilateralism and diversification of relations. Vietnam, he said, seeks to be a trusted friend and partner and a responsible member of the international community, actively contributing to global political dynamics and economic integration.

Vietnamese Defence Minister attends Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

VOV.VN - A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence led by Minister Phan Van Giang is attending the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) that he getting underway in Singapore from May 30 to June 1.