President Phuc, UN chief rejoice over sound Vietnam-UN relations
VOV.VN - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and re-appointed UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have affirmed their recognition of the importance to and expressed their elation at the positive developments of the Vietnam-UN relationship over the past time during their online phone talks on June 19.
During the talks, the Vietnamese State leader congratulated Secretary General Guterres on his re-appointment to the UN General Assembly for the 2022 to 2026 term and exchanged views on how to boost co-operation moving forward.
Present Phuc noted his appreciation for the contributions by Secretary General Guterres during the last term, whilst voicing support for the UN chief's priorities and orientations over the next five years.
The President went on to affirm that as a responsible member of the UN, the country has been making positive contributions to joint activities run by the agency, including taking on the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, engaging in UN peacekeeping operations, and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs. This is along with running for the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2023 to 2025.
Upon sharing the efforts of the whole socio-political system to meet the "dual goal" of ensuring pandemic prevention and control, along with socio-economic development, President Phuc thanked the UN for its recent support. He went on to suggest that UN organisations continue to pay attention and support Vietnam, especially in its ongoing vaccine rollout, whilst offering advice on post-pandemic recovery policy.
Secretary General Guterres used the occasion to applaud Vietnamese socio-economic development achievements, especially amid its ongoing COVID-19 containment efforts.
He acknowledged the country’s positive and responsible contributions to the UN and global issues, especially at the UN Security Council, the implementation of SDGs, climate change adaptation, and COVID-19 prevention, noting that the nation is an important contributory faction to peace and stability in the wider region.
The Secretary General is especially grateful that the country has successfully treated a UN staff member with the COVID-19 vaccine, thereby demonstrating the spirit of international solidarity to overcome the pandemic.
With regard to the international and regional situation, both sides have highlighted the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation on the basis of respect for international law. This is especially true with regard to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while affirming ASEAN's central role in resolving regional issues.
Earlier, President Phuc also send a congratulatory letter to the UN chief, in which he expressed his belief that with the Secretary General’s commitment, experience, and established reputation, noting that the person in the role will continue to contribute to intensify the UN's activities in concerted efforts to deal with global challenges.