Vietnam-United Nations: Close partners on a common journey for peace and development

Eighty years ago, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. That same year, the United Nations was born, opening the journey of preserving peace, promoting independence and self-determination of nations. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, shared with the press about the similarities and prospects in the Vietnam-United Nations cooperation relationship.

General Secretary and President To Lam attended and delivered a speech at the Future Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York (USA), with the participation of many senior leaders of countries, international and regional organizations focusing on solving major global challenges such as climate change, social inequality and economic crisis, September 22-23, 2024. (Source: UN)

Dear Ambassador, 80 years have passed since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. 80 years ago was also the time when the United Nations (UN) was born with the noble goal of peace , independence, equality among nations and the right to national self-determination. How does the Ambassador assess the similarities in aspirations, development journey and companionship between Vietnam and the United Nations throughout that historical journey?

80 years ago, the United Nations was founded in the context of humanity emerging from the ashes of World War II. And also 80 years ago, on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, which had historical significance, leading our nation out of the dark night of slavery, freeing it from colonial oppression, and establishing an independent Vietnam.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations.

The establishment of the United Nations and the adoption of the UN Charter, as well as the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, have opened new pages in the history of humanity in general and the history of the Vietnamese people in particular. There are many similarities in these two historical documents, because both documents express the aspiration for peace, national independence, development and international cooperation.

Over the past 80 years, the UN has achieved many successes in its journey to realize that spirit. Perhaps the most notable is that the UN has prevented the outbreak of a third world war and has made many important contributions to preventing and resolving conflicts, bringing peace to many regions of the world, especially through peacekeeping operations.

The UN also makes important contributions through development agendas, environmental protection, climate change response, disease prevention, and the establishment of many important international treaties in many areas such as disarmament, human rights, seas and oceans, etc. to create frameworks for effective international and multilateral cooperation on a global scale.

Meanwhile, our Vietnamese people, despite going through decades of war, followed by many years of embargo, have stood firm, risen strongly and made great strides in development.

Vietnam has contributed to the world through its own struggles for independence and national unification. The two resistance wars against colonialism and imperialism by our people were very concrete actions to contribute to the common effort to protect the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. The Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 created a wave of national liberation all over the world, especially in Africa; creating a period of strong increase in the number of UN members. In 1960 alone, 17 countries were admitted to the UN, becoming the year of the largest expansion of the number of members in the history of this organization.

From a country receiving aid from the United Nations, Vietnam has gradually become a responsible, trustworthy and effective member of the United Nations, participating increasingly deeply in all three main pillars of peace - security, development cooperation and human rights.

From a country that was once besieged and embargoed, Vietnam has always tried its best to be an active and responsible member of the international community, always upholding international law, promoting peaceful settlement of disputes, disarmament, fighting the arms race, and contributing finance and manpower to peacekeeping activities.

In short, it can be said that Vietnam and the UN are two close partners, with similar aspirations, accompanying each other in action on the journey of establishment and development.

Female soldiers of the Peacekeeping Force in the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

From a country devastated by war and suffering many difficulties due to blockade and embargo, Vietnam today has risen to become a dynamic developing country, achieving many important socio-economic achievements. At the same time, Vietnam is also a proactive and active member and has made substantial contributions to the common goals of the United Nations. Could you tell us how meaningful these achievements are to the journey of bringing a prosperous and happy life to the people, as well as in affirming the role, prestige and unique identity of Vietnam in the international arena?

Vietnam is a success story of a self-reliant and self-reliant country, and is considered by many friends and partners to be an inspiration for developing countries. That is the unique identity of our Vietnam.

The “Vietnam story” at the UN is also closely linked to the support of the largest multilateral organization on the planet for us. The UN has accompanied Vietnam right after the war, supporting the country’s reconstruction efforts and providing urgent humanitarian assistance. We probably cannot forget the essential foods provided by the World Food Programme, or the pumping wells within the framework of the UNICEF clean water programme or the Expanded Immunisation Programme with the help of the World Health Organisation (WHO)….

Entering the period of renovation, the UN continues to support us in the process of building institutions, laws, and international integration. In many areas from hunger eradication and poverty reduction, health, population, agriculture and rural development, environment... it can be said that the UN has had a very widespread presence throughout the process of renovation and national development of Vietnam.

Vietnam loves peace, is a responsible member, and participates more actively, proactively and effectively in the common work of the United Nations in dealing with global challenges. (Source: VGP)

“The Story of Vietnam” is also a typical story of a country that has made increasingly more responsible, active, and practical contributions to the common activities of the United Nations. Vietnam has participated in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) twice, the United Nations Human Rights Council twice, and many times participated in the leadership mechanisms of various funds, programs, and forums of the United Nations. In particular, Vietnam has sent more than 1,000 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Public Security to participate in UN peacekeeping activities.

We have also proposed new initiatives at the United Nations, which have been enthusiastically supported by many countries and international friends, including the initiatives on International Epidemic Prevention Day, International Day of Fun, and the establishment of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) to promote the common interest of the international community in these very important issues.

In 2025, for the first time, Vietnam will assume the role of Chair of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and will soon host the signing ceremony of the UN Cybercrime Convention and Chair the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

With all these efforts, we continue to tell the unique “Vietnam Story”, increasingly affirming our prestige and position, and continuing to inspire international friends at the UN forum and in the international arena in general.

Image of a helicopter carrying the Vietnamese national flag in the sky over Ba Dinh at the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

In the context of a volatile world with increasingly great global challenges, according to the Ambassador, how should Vietnam promote the spirit of "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-confidence, and national pride" to continue to accompany and contribute more effectively to the United Nations and multilateralism, while maintaining independence, sovereignty, and protecting national interests in the new era of the nation?

It can be said that we have an extremely solid foundation to confidently enter a new era of national development. That foundation is built from the nation's glorious history, the country's strong development achievements, consolidated by an open foreign policy situation, a comprehensive and effective international integration process, and guided by the Party's correct policies, guidelines and wise leadership.

This is also a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue to actively participate and contribute more to the international community and the United Nations in all areas, from maintaining world peace to sustainable development and ensuring human rights. In the process, we have a "Vietnamese story" to continue telling to friends around the world, spreading the spirit of "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-confidence, and national pride".

Vietnam will continue to adhere to its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, respecting the United Nations Charter and international law. With its new position and strength, Vietnam is not only confident in making more active and effective contributions to the United Nations and global agendas, but also proactively initiating and leading multilateral cooperation initiatives, participating in building and shaping global governance, frameworks and rules in many areas where we have interests and strengths, and playing the role of intermediary and conciliator when conditions permit.

On each step of international integration, Vietnam always puts national interests as a guiding principle and is imbued with national pride, which is the steadfast will to protect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland. Diplomacy will continue to be the spearhead, contributing to protecting the country early and from afar, creating a peaceful environment, taking advantage of conditions and resources to develop the country, bringing a prosperous and happy life to every Vietnamese person. For us - the cadres working in foreign affairs - that is tradition, honor and determination to serve the Fatherland and the people.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-lien-hop-quoc-doi-tac-gan-gui-tren-hanh-trinh-chung-vi-hoa-binh-va-phat-trien-326450.html