Under regulations, Vietnam needs only 127 votes in favour to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. However, with 183 out of 190 votes, the country was elected to the council’s non-permanent seat in the first round of voting on October 16.

After this result was announced, UN member countries said that they voted for Vietnam wholeheartedly. This is not only their heart-felt support but also expresses the trust and admiration of international friends towards Vietnam.

This result is attributed to the gigantic efforts and achievements made by the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national independence, construction and development, especially during the past 20 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

Since 1997, Vietnam has spent 10 years preparing for its participation in the UN Security Council by joining UN multilateral organisations and promoting their activities far and wide.

With its economic growth rate of between 7-8 percent for consecutive years, socio-political stability and open external policy, Vietnam will find it advantageous to perform well as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Along with winning the World Trade Organisation membership, Vietnam’s new role marks its deeper integration into the international economic and political life, representing an important and significant landmark in its international integration process.

However, Vietnam will have to assume heavy responsibilities pertaining to peace and international security after joining the UN Security Council. To carry out its role, Vietnam will get involved in the process of making major decisions of the UN- a task of UN Security Council members. Therefore, Vietnam’s responsibility for the UN’s most powerful body is to work with other member countries in carrying out the Council’s resolutions and decisions to settle conflicts and disputes through peaceful dialogue and negotiations without using force and waging war.

Many issues of international concern such as proliferation of nuclear weapons, environmental pollution, inequality, poverty and epidemics remain on the UN agenda, which require a great deal of effort from UN member countries to solve.

Especially for a new member of the UN Security Council like Vietnam, it is imperative to have a firm spirit and intelligence. A firm spirit will enable Vietnam to cope with the pressure of work under difficult circumstances. With intelligence, the country will be able to present appropriate viewpoints in line with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law. With its effort and commitment to being an active member of the United Nations Security Council, as Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said after it was elected to the important position, Vietnam will certainly perform well at the most powerful organisation. The first US Ambassador to Vietnam Peter Peterson expressed his belief that Vietnam has gained practical experience to hold the position. As a member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam will contribute to promoting peace in the world and sharing experience with sympathy.