Jean-Pierre Lacroix's assessment, as well as Vietnam's success in the UNSC election for the 2020-2021 term, demonstrated the trust and expectations that the international community has in Vietnam's capacity.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Hoàng Giang (standing) at the ministry's meeting held on Tuesday to review Việt Nam's two-year tenure as a member of the UN Security Council. (Photo: VNA)

Contributions to the common duty

As UNSC's non-permanent member, Vietnam has participated in discussions on all issues on the agenda, promoted consensus, cooperation, and contributed to reducing tension.

It has also sought fair solutions to problems threatening regional and international peace and security, and upheld the principle of flexibility and ingenuity in dealing with countries and stakeholders.

During its term, Vietnam took the role of UNSC president twice.

The country effectively ran the council's activities and handled arising issues, contributing to the joint work.

In the first month of its presidency, Vietnam successfully presided over periodic and ad hoc works of the council.

In its first presidency month, the country impressed UNSC's member states with two outstanding events.

The first is an open discussion session themed "Upholding the United Nations Charter to Maintain International Peace and Security," in which the council adopted a Presidential Statement for full compliance with the Charter for the first time.

The second was a meeting on cooperation between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking the first time the topic had been discussed at the council.

In its second presidency month, Vietnam proposed, chaired, and completed three high-level sessions on "Enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in enhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution,” “Mine action and sustaining peace: Stronger partnerships for better delivery” and “Protection of Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population."

All three were appreciated by the international community. At the events, UNSC member states voted to issue two Presidential Statements and a Resolution.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock expressed strong support for Vietnam for bringing these topics into discussion.

Meanwhile, the Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said that Vietnam had proactively and effectively contributed to the operation of the UNSC, including practical initiatives for peace and security in Africa.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 19 chaired a High-level Open Debate on "Cooperation between the UN and regional organizations in enhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution", which was held in online format. (Photo: VNA)

Responsibility and balance

Vietnam has made substantial contributions to the council, skillfully handling many important and complex issues regarding international peace and security while ensuring compliance with the UN Charter and international law.

It has brought up many practical initiatives regarding peaceful settlement of conflicts and disputes. The country strives to play the role of mediator on many complex issues. It has won the respect of all countries, including powers and the UN.

Vietnam has stimulated other initiatives within the UN framework such as encouraging the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution on the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness (Dec. 27), and established and put into operation a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Group of Friends with more than 113 member states.

The country was elected to the UN International Law Commission for the 2021-2026 term and is campaigning for election to other UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN, affirmed that Vietnam had a strong voice and gained trust from the world, especially countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US.

UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Barbara Woodward highlighted that Vietnam directly engaged in settling many important issues.

Notably, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Vietnam, when serving as the President of the UNSC, showed its ingenuity and the role of a mediator and bridge in supporting the settlement of conflicts, creating a peaceful atmosphere among world powers.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, with the UN Charter during a flag-raising ceremony held at the UN headquarters as Vietnam starts its capacity as the President of the UNSC. (Photo: VNA)

Strengthening the role of regional organizations

As ASEAN Chair in 2020 and the only ASEAN member in the UNSC in 2021, Vietnam promotes ASEAN's central role in solving regional security issues and enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and the UN and UNSC.

It held the first UNSC discussion on cooperation between ASEAN and the UN in January 2020 and an open debate on enhancing cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations, chaired by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Vietnam at the same time stimulated the UNSC to adopt a presidential statement on such content in April 2021.

The country upholds ASEAN's role in UNSC's discussions and documents regarding the Myanmar issue.

In particular, Vietnam's initiative to let Brunei, the 2021 ASEAN Chair Brunei inform the UNSC about the results of the ASEAN Summit was highly appreciated by the UNSC members.

The initiative has created a new practice for ASEAN representatives to voice their views at the council whenever the Myanmar issue is discussed.

Ambassador Nathalie Estival-Broadhurst, deputy permanent representative of France to the UN said that Vietnam has been very successful in connecting ASEAN with the UNSC.

Meanwhile, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) underscored Vietnam’s contributions in promoting the comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN.

Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, permanent representative of Indonesia to the UN, underlined that Vietnam had made considerable contributions to the enhancement of the voice and image of ASEAN at the UNSC.

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