The statement was made by Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Security Council at its recent consultation meeting on Ivory Coast.

The Vietnamese diplomat expressed his concern about challenges the African country is facing, such as instability in northern and western Ivory Coast, increasing overseas debts, risk of rearmament of guerrilla groups, illicit drug and weapon trafficking and organised crime.

In his capacity as the UN Security Council’s rotating monthly president, Ambassador Minh acknowledged the active preparations for the presidential elections in the African nation scheduled for Nov. 29.

He called on all political parties in Ivory Coast to join forces to solve differences in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue, contributing to building a favourable political and security environment before and after the elections.

The Council agreed that “the long-term peace, stability and development of Ivory Coast is also dependent on the balanced and comprehensive settlement of many other security, socio-economic and cross-border challenges,” Ambassador Minh told reporters after the meeting.

He reiterated the Council’s support for the role of the UN agencies, regional organisations and the international community in supporting the national rebuilding process of Ivory Coast.