Vietnam remains UN’s trustworthy partner for peace, sustainable development
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the high-level General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session (UNGA 76) in New York from Sep. 21-24. The trip takes place at a time when Vietnam is celebrating the 44th anniversary of the country’s membership in the UN (September 20, 1977 – 2021).
Over the last 44 years, Vietnam has grown from just an UN member to a strong and trustworthy partner of the world’s largest multilateral organization for peace and sustainable development.
Vietnam’s four-decade UN membership has been a journey full of major imprints left by the UN in the country’s post-war reconstruction, “Doi Moi” (Renewal) period and international integration.
With the help of UN specialized agencies and related organisations, Vietnam has been able to utilise external resources, together with its own internal strength, to transform from a poor, war-torn country to a middle-income nation today. The country has its sight set on becoming a developing, upper-middle-income country with modern industry by 2030 and a high-income developed country by 2045.
Vietnam has been one of the UN member states that take the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) very seriously. The country, for example, adopted the multidimensional approach to poverty measurement in 2015 and ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change the following year.
Its relations with the UN has set an example for development cooperation highly regarded by the international community.
Promoting the comprehensive partnership with the UN, Vietnam has actively engaged in the UN’s activities and made effectively and substantial contributions to the organization.
Vietnam has been elected twice as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), for the 2008 – 2009 and 2020 – 2021 terms. Vietnam taking over the role for the second time after 10 years reflects not only its heightening position at the international stage but also international expectation for the country to be a responsible contributor to the regional and global peace and security.
The country also served as a Vice President of the UN General Assembly in 1997 and a Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Population Fund (UNFDA). It was elected with a high number of votes to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 1998 – 2000 and 2006 – 2018 tenures, the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014 – 2016 tenure, the UNESCO Executive Council from 2015 – 2019, and the UN International Law Commission from 2017 – 2021.
Vietnam has proven itself as one of the countries most active in maintaining global peace and joining the international effort to address global challenges. Vietnam has sent servicemen to join the UN’s peacekeeping missions abroad since June, 2014. The country has been upholding the spirit of international solidarity by aiding others at the time of hardship, particularly during the outbreak of COVID-19 over the past two years.
In his message of congratulations on Vietnam’s 75th National Day last year, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed Vietnam for being always a strong partner since its admission to the UN in 1977. In June 19, 2021, he highly spoke of the country as an active and responsible contributor to the UN and in tackling global issues, especially at the UNSC. Vietnam is an important stakeholder in safeguarding the regional peace and stability, he said.
In pursuit of an independent and self-reliant foreign policy for peace, cooperation and development, Vietnam always treasures and aspires to step up comprehensive partnership with the UN.
