Vietnam leads meeting to review its month as UNSC President

This marks the second time that the nation has taken on the role of President of the UNSC during its non-permanent membership of the Council for the 2020 to 2021 tenure.

The event featured the participation of over 70 representatives from various UNSC member states, along with several UN observers.

Throughout April, the country proposed and chaired four priority events regarding the role of regional organisations in enhancing confidence-building and dialogue as part of conflict prevention and resolution efforts. This is alongside actions against landmines, sexual violence taking place in conflict, and the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. These topics all focused on people and aimed to develop sustainable peace. Along with these events, the country hosted the drafting of and promoted the adoption of three documents of the Council, including two presidential statements and one resolution.

The most important initiative put forward by the nation was the High-level Open Debate on "Cooperation between the UN and regional organizations in enhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution”.

This marks the first time that a Vietnamese President has presided over a meeting of the UNSC, whilst also being the first important multilateral diplomatic activity of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc since the 13th National Party Congress. Following the event, the Council’s member states approved a presidential statement proposed by the country on this topic.

The UNSC therefore adopted the first presidential statement proposed by the Vietnamese delegation on overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines. The debate regarding sexual violence in conflict zones was also welcomed by many UN members.

Furthermore, in the month of Vietnam’s Presidency, the UNSC responded promptly to emerging issues which threaten international peace and security, including those in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Mali, the Great Lakes, West Sahara, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Abyei Area, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Colombia, and Myanmar. The nation has responded to all the initiatives and proposals made by other countries and creatively applied the rules and practices of the UNSC, while simultaneously promoting consultations and consensus-building in order to allow the Council to make timely decisions.

As the UNSC President, the country has promoted the broadest possible participation in UNSC activities through the organisation of meetings and discussions with the UN Secretary-General. This is in addition to in-person meetings among UNSC member states, holding international press conferences, along with many events informing of UNSC activities to UN member and observer states, non-governmental organisations, and others.

Throughout April the nation took on the role of UNSC President, with the Council holding 27 official activities as of April 29, including five open debates, eight meetings to listen to reports, two others to vote on resolutions, and seven to negotiate resolutions. It also adopted 12 decisions, including four resolutions and two presidential statements, along with five press statements and one press release.

During the course of the review meeting, representatives of UN member states applauded the nation’s priority activities, especially with regard for its promotion of the UNSC’s attention to the aspect of humanitarian assistance and civilian protection.

They therefore congratulated the country on successfully fulfilling its duties as Council President in April, noting that the country has smoothly chaired UNSC activities and managed to promote the Council’s consensus whilst also involving the participation and contribution of UN member states.