Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator honoured with friendship insignia

At the award ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, president of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), stated that the nation hails the efforts and contributions made by Malhotra for his role and the UN’s Resident Coordinator Office in Vietnam.

During the course of his five-year term in the nation, Malhotra made every effort to raise the country’s position and pioneering role as part of the network of UN bodies worldwide, whilst enhancing Vietnamese engagement in UN peacekeeping operations overseas.

He demonstrated his support for the nation as Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 to 2021 tenure. 

Amid the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Resident Coordinator and representatives of other UN bodies helped the country by sharing information, experience, and consultations. This was done along with calling for assistance in COVID-19 vaccine and medical equipment for the country, the VUFO President said.

The UN has so far been among the largest COVID-19 vaccine providers to the nation through the COVAX Facility, with approximately 10 million doses donated. 

The Vietnamese official expressed hope that in his future position, Malhotra will continue to support Vietnam and contribute to maintaining peace and advocating sustainable development globally.

In response, Malhotra affirmed that Vietnam has an increasingly important role to play in the UN thanks to the country’s active and responsible participation in and contributions to joint missions of both the international community and the UN.