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After successfully concluding an official visit to Cuba, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the morning of September 21 departed for the United States to attend a general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session and hold a number of bilateral activities in the US.
This purpose of these important activities is to carry out the foreign policy set out by the 13th National Party Congress, promote Vietnamese multilateral diplomacy to 2030. This is along with demonstrating the nation's role and stature as a responsible member who has made substantial contributions to the activities of the UN and the wider international community.
Since joining the UN in 1977, the country has gradually affirmed its international role and position, in which it has successfully assumed the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 to 2021 term.
Over recent times the nation has been assessed by the UN and the international community as a successful example in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is along with being a determined and serious member to implement the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The country has also actively promoted UN reform initiatives and has been regarded as one of the leading countries in implementing the UN's "United Action" initiative aimed at increasing the organisation's operational effectiveness at a national level.
Vietnamese efforts and contributions to the UN have received plenty of appreciation from UN Secretary-General Guterres for their effectiveness and practicality.
According to UN Secretary-General Guterres, the nation has always been a strong partner of the UN since its accession in 1977, with its military forces having participated in numerous international peacekeeping missions.
Furthermore, the country’s leading role in achieving the MDGs serves as a solid foundation to help it implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN chief noted. He went on to add that the vision and aspirations of sustainable development goals (SDGs) will become more important than ever as the world starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through these contributions, the country has been trusted with election to many important positions and agencies within the UN, whilst making positive impressions at the UNSC, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan, former head of the Permanent Representatives of Vietnam to the UN, said that the nation has proved to the international community as a whole that it is a trustworthy member with strong development potential.
After experiencing such a challenging period, the nation has stood firm when it comes to participating in any UN leadership mechanism. Multilateral diplomacy in general and the Vietnamese position in the UN may have changed in a very clear and spectacular way, Ambassador Xuan said.
With the direct attendance of more than 100 heads of state and senior leaders, the 76th UN General Assembly represents a good opportunity for the country to conduct bilateral meetings with leaders of other nations following a long period of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the trip, President Phuc is scheduled to hold a number of bilateral activities at the UN and in the US in order to step up Vietnamese co-operation with other governments and the new US administration. This purpose of the trip will be to promote a well-developed comprehensive partnership in line with the common goals and interests of both the nation and the US.
The trip will also serve as an opportunity for President Phuc to carry out the vaccine diplomacy strategy, call for countries and international organisations to support the country with vaccines, medical equipment, and supplies for COVID-19 containment efforts, along with co-operation in post-pandemic recovery.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) demonstrates Vietnam’s strong sense of responsibility and commitment as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) over the past two years.
The meetings are expected to enhance response to the pandemic, deal with its consequences and promote post-pandemic economic recovery, he continued. It also gives the president a chance to discuss with other heads of state about the implementation of the SDGs by 2030.
He went to say that Vietnam has been highly regarded by the international community for its work in the UNSC and UN at large and the imprints it has left after accomplishing its role as President of the UNSC in January 2020 and April 2021.
The country has fulfilled its commitments to the UNSC, carry forward the rule of law and strengthen the role of the UN Charter and international laws, Quy said, adding that one of Vietnam’s successes as President of the UNSC was to have the Resolution on protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population approved.
