Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang

Việt Nam assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in April. Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang gave the press details on what was achieved during Việt Nam’s Presidency of the UNSC

What did Việt Nam achieve in its month of UNSC Presidency?

The month of Việt Nam’s Presidency of the UNSC was a success, as reflected across three aspects. The first was the co-ordination as the chair of the council. During April, we had a sizable workload, with nearly 30 ambassador-level meetings and dozens of working-level ones, to discuss a wide range of issues from across all continents. Việt Nam proposed and got approval from the UNSC for 10 documents, including four resolutions. This affirms our role in co-ordination, exchange and dialogue, maintaining consensus and unity among the members of the UNSC.

Second was Việt Nam's contributions to the discussions and operation of the council. With a constructive viewpoint and stance, based on the UN Charter and international law, Viet Nam clearly stated its stance and point of view on issues considered and discussed at the UNSC’s meetings to promote dialogue, increase confidence and try to resolve conflicts and issues from around the world.

The third was the proposals and initiatives Việt Nam was interested in and promoted during the month. With a joint approach towards conflict prevention and resolution, we launched three high-level discussions on conflict prevention, resolution and handling. President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chaired a High-level Open Debate on 'Cooperation between the UN and Regional Organisations in Enhancing Confidence-Building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution'. Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn hosted two Ministerial-level Open Debates on 'Mine Action and Sustaining Peace: Stronger Partnerships for Better Delivery' and 'Protection of Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population'.

The sessions took place successfully, receiving attention from countries with high-level participation, with many important documents approved, promoting the content we care about.

How did our country achieve such success?

First and most important was careful preparation. Taking such a position requires preparation from many months ago, covering all the content and the agenda, including close consultation with members of the UNSC and the UN member countries in dealing with the issues.

Second is the support of member countries of the UNSC to Việt Nam. This support shows countries attach special importance to the position and role of Viet Nam in recent years. The proposals and initiatives put forward by us with the arguments were strongly supported by other countries.

Thirdly, our initiatives and activities during the month received the close attention of Party and State leaders. President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc directly presided over the UNSC session, while leaders from concerned ministries, agencies and localities also participated in all key activities during the month of the UNSC Presidency.

Another point is the unanimous participation of ministries and sectors. Just before the month as President, the Ministry of Defence deployed the Level-2 Field Hospital No. 3 to take on their duties at the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. This shows we also contribute by way of concrete action.

What were the difficulties encountered during the month serving as the UNSC’s President and how did we solve them?

Taking the presidency role was a challenge in itself. Serving as UNSC President, we had to co-ordinate and reconcile different views among various groups of countries, especially major countries, to reach a common consensus and solve urgent problems.

It was not easy to have a successful proposal and push forward with priorities and initiatives during the month. Although they were of general interest, these were all new issues and there were still many differences when going into detail. The good news is that we overcame these difficulties so that during the month, all countries agreed to consider solving the problems posed, and all 10 documents were overwhelmingly approved by the council.

During the remainder of its term of UNSC membership, what should Việt Nam do to promote the successes achieved in April?

As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, with a desire to contribute to the general work of the council and the UN, and as an active and responsible member of the international community, we will continue to work together with other countries to seek solutions to maintain a peaceful international environment and ensure global security. This is a common goal from now to the end of 2021 that we will continue to carry out.

In such a process, the most important thing is to try to maintain solidarity and consensus among the UNSC. For some complex issues at the council, we need to be steadfast in our stance and principles to protect our national interests, while handling them skillfully and satisfactorily to promote dialogue, solidarity and consensus at the UNSC, contributing so that any decision of the council is based on the UN Charter and international law, including the principles of independence, autonomy and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Above all, we want the UNSC to continue to be the most important agency in maintaining international peace, stability and security.  — VNS