Vietnam holds key role in maintaining ASEAN peace, stability

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN headquarters in New York on January 9.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired a working luncheon of the UN Security Council with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN headquarters in New York on January 9-10 that focused on adhering to the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security.

Minh also held bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, along with a number of other diplomats on the sidelines of an open debate of the UN Security Council chaired by Vietnam.

During his working lunch with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Mr. Minh said regular exchanges of information and close cooperation between the UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat has contributed to providing related parties with updated information. This has helped seek solutions to any rising problems, prevent conflicts, peacefully settle disputes as a contribution to maintaining peace and security in the region and the world as a whole.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Vietnam has a special position and plays a key role in promoting peace and stability within ASEAN region. He affirmed his support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh called on the UN and Mr. Antonio Guterres to support settling disputes by peaceful means.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner (R)

At the meeting with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, Minh thanked the UNDP for its support for Vietnam over the past four decades, suggesting it provide more counselling for the country, especially in economic restructuring, climate change response, realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and sustainable use and management of the Mekong River’s water resources.

Steiner congratulated Vietnam on its recent achievements, highlighting the country as a model in economic development. He also assured the UNDP’s readiness to give support and policy advice during the new development stage of Vietnam.

At another meeting with UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Mr. Minh asked UN Women to continue its support for Vietnam in improving gender equality and women empowerment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at a meeting with UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

For her part, she applauded the remarkable outcomes Vietnam has gained in promoting gender equality, particularly women’s economic empowerment.

UN Women will keep working closely with and helping Vietnam to organize major events marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action on gender equality, as well as others on women, peace and security.

Meeting with Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Denis Moncada, Minh and his guest consented to accelerate political dialogue in an appropriate point of time and consider the negotiation on a trade and investment framework agreement to create a legal framework for bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Denis Moncada (L)

Denis Moncada expressed his confidence that the Southeast Asian nation will successfully serve as both a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and ASEAN Chair.

Minh also used this occasion to convey Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong’s invitation to visit Vietnam to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Meeting with Deputy PM Minh, Foreign Minister of Timor Leste Dionisio Babo Soares congratulated Vietnam and greatly valued its growing international role. He showed his country’s wish to become a member of ASEAN and augument bilateral collaboration with Vietnam, affirming the readiness to back activities of Vietnamese businesses, including Viettel, in Timor Leste.

Minh asked Timor Leste to soon ratify the trade agreement between the two countries toward creating a legal basis for enhancing trade connections.

The two sides also agreed to increase cooperation and share their stances at regional and international forums, including the UN. Meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy PM Minh offered heartfelt condolences to the Ukrainian Government and people, and the families of the victims in the serious plane incident in Iran on January 8.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya (L)

The two sides discussed measures to beef up their countries’ cooperation, including organising delegation exchanges at all level, holding annual political consultations, and strengthen economic and trade links.

The Ukrainian side expressed the hope to coordinate with Vietnam at multilateral forums, particularly the UN, and boost ties with ASEAN, saying the country wishes to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.