Việt Nam chairs UNSC debate on protecting essential infrastructure

Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn, as Chair of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for April, presided over an in-person and online ministerial open debate of the council on the theme “Protection of Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population” on April 27. VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

Việt Nam's top diplomat has called on the international community to support the recovery and reconstruction of essential infrastructure damaged during conflicts.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn, as Chair of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for April, made the call while presiding over an in-person and online ministerial open debate of the council themed 'Protection of Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population' on Tuesday.

Objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population include food, farming areas, drinking water supplies, livestock and irrigation works.

The event was attended by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock, former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of the International Peace Institute (IPI) Board Kevin Rudd, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer and representatives of 15 member countries of the UNSC.

Delegates spoke highly of Việt Nam’s initiative, highlighting the humanitarian significance of the debate's theme, especially as civilians in many conflict-hit areas across the globe bear the brunt of essential infrastructure also being impacted by environmental pollution, climate change and COVID-19.

They highlighted the significance of compliance with international humanitarian laws and underlined the increasing need for international co-operation, as well as the role of the UN, to protect civilians and essential infrastructure amid conflicts.

In his remarks, Sơn said as a previously wartorn country, Việt Nam called for abiding by international law, including the International Humanitarian Law, and promoting international and regional co-operation as well as the role of the UN to support the recovery and reconstruction of damaged essential infrastructure, and improving people’s resilience to cope with challenges during and after conflicts.

Protecting objects indispensable to the survival of civilians is the foundation for sustainable peace, he said, noting that preventing conflicts is the best way to protect the civilian population.

The minister called attention to the need to deal with the root cause of conflicts such as poverty, inequality and abuse of power, while promoting efforts for sustainable development at both the national and global levels.

At the debate, the UNSC passed a resolution on the protection of objects indispensable for the survival of the civilian population, emphasising the significance of observing the international humanitarian law and ensuring humanitarian aid, especially in the context of COVID-19.

This is the first resolution proposed by Việt Nam at the UNSC during its tenure as a UNSC non-permanent member for 2020-2021.

This is also the first time the council has held a comprehensive debate and adopted a resolution on his issue. — VNS