NEW YORK — Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UN, on October 15 chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC)’s Committee on South Sudan (Committee 2206) with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba in attendance.
Quý, who is Chairman of the committee, highly spoke of the political-security progress in South Sudan since the transitional government was established, setting the scene for the protection of vulnerable people, including children.
South Sudanese children still face many challenges, he said, calling on the country’s government and concerned parties to continue to implement its joint action programme on child protection with the UN.
The diplomat also urged concerned parties in South Sudan to ensure children’s access to food, education and healthcare, and to further promote the reintegration programme for children recruited by armed groups.
He voiced his hope that the UN, its members, regional organisations and other international partners will continue providing support for South Sudan in its transition process, particularly in protecting the children.
Committee 2206, established pursuant to the UNSC’s Resolution 2206, is mandated to supervise the implementation of measures of the UNSC to enhance assurance of peace and security in South Sudan.
Peace solutions for Kosovo
Việt Nam underscored the importance of dialogue and the search for long-term peace solutions for Kosovo during an UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on October 15.
Ambassador Phạm Hải Anh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UN, welcomed the resumption of high-level dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade under European Union auspices, but expressed regret that the dialogue has yet to produce satisfactory results due to differences between the two sides.
He emphasised the importance of peaceful dialogue and the search for lasting solutions for Kosovo on the basis of international law, the UN Charter, and the UNSC’s Resolution 1244 on the deployment of international civil and security presence in Kosovo, for peace, stability and development of Belgrade, Pristina, the Balkans and Europe.
The diplomat urged the sides concerned to work harder to explore opportunities for high-level talks and implement reached agreements, especially the Brussels Agreements. He also acknowledged the UNMIK’s crucial role in the promotion of security and stability in the area, efforts to build trust among the communities in Kosovo and discussions with Belgrade and Pristina.
The UN Security Council, by its Resolution 1244 (1999), authorised the UN Secretary-General to establish an international civil presence in Kosovo – the UNMIK – in order to provide an interim administration for Kosovo under which the people of Kosovo could enjoy substantial autonomy. — VNS