Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Vietnam had a successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021, a difficult period for the world and the UNSC in particular due to complicated, uncertain and unprecedented developments in the world.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Viet Nam had a successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021, a difficult period for the world and the UNSC in particular due to complicated, uncertain and unprecedented developments in the world.

Chairing a press conference in Ha Noi on January 17, Son said it is the result of Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of ties; making responsible contributions to multilateral mechanisms, including the UN and firstly the UNSC.

Viet Nam attaches importance to and wants to raise its voice to promote work at the UNSC in general for common benefits of the UN member states while contributing to maintaining global peace and security, he said.

He added that with the consistent motto "Partnership for sustainable peace", Viet Nam joined the UNSC in an active, positive and responsible manner, proposed a number of initiatives to make practical contributions to the UNSC's work, upheld the council's role in seeking solutions to preventing and dealing with conflicts and responding to challenges to global peace and security in line with the UN Charter and international law.

At the event, Son also highlighted 10 outstanding hallmarks made by Viet Nam at the UNSC during the tenure, as follows:

1. Being a strong proponent of multilateralism and upholding international law and the UN Charter.

2. Seeking comprehensive solutions to achieve sustainable peace.

3. Strengthening humanitarian action and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts with concrete and tangible initiatives.

4. Underscoring the long-term consequences of conflicts on the lives of ordinary people, in particular the issue of explosive remnants of war (ERW).

5. Bolstering meaningful cooperation between the UNSC and regional organizations, with particular emphasis on ASEAN, its centrality and visibility.

6. Championing advocacy and actions to support vulnerable groups in conflicts, particularly women and children, by advancing the women, peace and security and children and armed conflict agendas.

7. Intensifying joint efforts to address critical global challenges such as climate change, epidemics and maritime security.

8. Acting as a bridge-builder, advancing transparency and consensus building, and promoting dialogue and cooperation.

9. Enhancing the status and voice of elected members of the UNSC.

10. Making substantial contributions to the common work of the UN in all pillars, particularly in peacemaking missions.

The active role of Viet Nam that had contributed to promoting multilateral approach and consistently upholding international law and the UN Charter, seeking sustainable and comprehensive solutions to conflicts while stepping up humanitarian actions, protecting civilians in conflicts, directing the UNSC and international community's attention to long-term consequences of conflicts and wars on lives as well as national security and development.

He said Viet Nam showed its own identity when joining the UNSC's work, namely promoting common consensus, cooperation and dialogue, and easing tension.

Experience earned during the 2008-2009 and 2020-2021 tenures at the UNSC together with major external activities laid a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue joining multilateral forums and international organisations within and out of the UN framework, he said.

In the immediate future, Viet Nam will continue pushing forward its resolutions and initiatives at the UNSC as well as promote the effective operation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Group of Friends, he stressed.

From: Viet Nam News Agency