Vietnam calls on Non-aligned countries to enhance cooperation amid COVID-19

Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the online NAM conference

Non-aligned countries need to increase experience sharing and work out an effective strategy to realize the dual goal of disease control and economic development, in an attempt to ensure social security, while further supporting multilateralism, international solidarity and fulfilling key multilateral commitments, PM Phuc said at an online NAM conference chaired by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

According to the Vietnamese PM, the Non-Aligned Movement should continue to play a leading role in promoting the spirit of rule of law and democratizing international relations, opposing hegemony, promoting the lifting of unilateral sanctions and embargoes, and responding to the UN Secretary General's call for a global ceasefire in order to maintain a peaceful and stable international environment.

He shared Vietnam’s experience in combating the novel coronavirus, saying Vietnam has brought the disease under control thanks to the strong consensus and determination of the entire political system and people. He affirmed Vietnam will make every effort to combat the disease and maintain stable growth at the same time for social security to ensure no one is left behind in the fight.

He spoke of Vietnam's efforts as Chair of ASEAN 2020 and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in strengthening regional and international cooperation to effectively control the pandemic, as well as Vietnam's financial contributions and medical supplies to a number of countries affected by the pandemic.

The conference was attended by heads of state and heads of governments of 40 NAM member countries, representing regions around the world.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered speeches at the Conference.

The conference adopted a joint statement on strengthening cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed the need for NAM member countries to enhance cooperation and support the building of a common database of the grouping.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations called for measures to minimise the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and ensure no one is left behind, while maintaining implementation of multilateral agreements and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

He proposed that countries provide assistance for groups most vulnerable to the pandemic, including children, the poor and migrants.

The WHO Director General thanked the movement for its support to the WHO and pledged his full support to the movement's pandemic prevention efforts. He emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation and for change in approach - from passive to proactive response with the engagement of the entire society.

The conference adopted a joint statement, reiterating the movement’s support for multilateralism and the role of international organizations in general and the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) in particular in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. It calls for strengthening international cooperation, condemns and urges the removal of unilateral sanctions targeting a number of NAM members, as they run counter to the UN Charter and international law.

At the same time, the conference agreed to set up the Non-Aligned Task Force to build a common database of its member countries in the prevention and control of the pandemic.