Vietnam raises level of cooperation with UN agencies and promotes multilateral initiatives in Vienna

From July 14-18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan carried out many cooperation activities with United Nations (UN) agencies in Vienna, including the Secretariat of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Within the framework of the 58th Plenary Session with the participation of about 80 countries, governmental and non -governmental organizations, the Secretariat of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) discussed various issues of international trade law such as carbon markets, negotiable transport documents, application of new technology in dispute resolution, etc., as well as reviewed reports of the Secretariat and Working Groups.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan and UNCITRAL Secretary General Anna Joubin-Bret signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and UNCITRAL.

In order to deepen cooperation between Vietnam and UNCITRAL, on July 17, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan and UNCITRAL Secretary General Anna Joubin-Bret signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and UNCITRAL for the period 2025-2031 with the focus on cooperation between the two sides on the legal framework for green economy and digital economy; capacity building for Vietnamese legal experts and promoting the completion of Vietnam's legal framework for international trade activities.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan at the working session with UNCITRAL Chief Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan highly appreciated the role of UNCITRAL, congratulated the success of the 58th Session and thanked them for their effective cooperation over the past time.

On the Secretariat side, Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret welcomed Vietnam's new initiative on Carbon market at UNCITRAL and supported the proposal to organize an event in Hanoi to celebrate the 60th anniversary of UNCITRAL.

The Vietnamese delegation coordinated with the UNCITRAL Secretariat to organize an event to introduce the theme “Carbon Markets” for the upcoming work program of the Committee.

On the sidelines of this year's Session, the Vietnamese delegation took the initiative to coordinate with the UNCITRAL Secretariat to organize an event on July 15 to introduce the theme "Carbon Markets" for the upcoming work program of the Committee.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to international organizations and the United Nations in Vienna, emphasized the importance of the carbon market and proposed that UNCITRAL continue to study related legal issues, aiming to harmonize commercial and civil laws to serve carbon transactions.

Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang spoke at the event.

Noting that Vietnam is building the legal infrastructure to legalize the market by 2029, Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang affirmed that this event is an opportunity to share progress, enhance cooperation and awareness among stakeholders on the carbon market. The event attracted the attention and direct participation of many countries present at the Session and online from scientists and experts.

Experts from Paraguay, El Salvador, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), the World Bank (WB)... presented international experiences on the governance and legal frameworks of countries to promote carbon markets.

Experts all affirmed that this is a potential topic for the upcoming UNCITRAL, directly serving the interests of developing countries, contributing to creating financial resources for efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan met with UNIDO Deputy Director General Ciyong Zou.

At the meeting with UNIDO Deputy Director General Ciyong Zou, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan highly appreciated UNIDO's role in promoting cooperation and industrial development for developing countries, including Vietnam, and informed about Vietnam's industrial growth rate of nearly 10% in 2024.

Sharing about Vietnam's industrial development orientation, the Deputy Minister asked UNIDO to continue to support policy advice, capacity building, green and modern industrial development, and increase recruitment of Vietnamese people into UNIDO as well as effectively implement projects in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan said he will continue to discuss with relevant ministries and branches to implement the Vietnam-UNIDO National Program and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam joining this organization.

On UNIDO's side, Mr. Ciyong Zou congratulated Vietnam's impressive industrial development achievements in recent times, expressing his approval of Vietnam's industrial orientation focusing on applying high technology, promoting digital transformation and innovation.

Mr. Ciyong Zou also affirmed that he will cooperate and support Vietnam more actively to promote industrial development according to the above orientations.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan worked with Ms. Candice Welsch, Director of Policy Analysis and Public Relations Department of UNODC.

At the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan and Ms. Candice Welsch, Director of Policy Analysis and Public Relations of UNODC signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) between the Government of Vietnam and UNODC on supporting the organization of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in October 2025.

The signing of the HCA will create a basis for the two sides to coordinate to successfully organize the Opening Ceremony to realize the commitment of the Vietnamese Government to organize the Opening Ceremony with the highest quality of organization.

Delegates take a group photo.

During the discussion, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan said that Vietnam has issued invitations to countries through many channels in New York, Vienna and Hanoi, as well as bilateral embassies, and is currently receiving positive responses from UN member countries, many of which have confirmed that they will send high-level delegations to attend the signing ceremony.

On the UNODC side, Ms. Candice Welsch affirmed that the UNODC Board of Directors shares Vietnam's determination to successfully organize the signing ceremony and has always mentioned this activity in all bilateral exchanges with other countries in recent times.

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan and Ms. Candice Welsch, Director of UNODC's Policy Analysis and Public Affairs Division, signed the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and UNODC on supporting the organization of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in October 2025.

Ms. Candice Welsch affirmed that UNODC will send an advance team to Vietnam as soon as possible to promote the preparation work; ready to accompany the Vietnamese Government to make the signing ceremony of the Convention a prominent multilateral foreign affairs event of Vietnam in 2025 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

UNCITRAL is a specialized agency of the Legal Commission of the United Nations General Assembly, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966 with the aim of promoting the harmonization and unification of international trade law, thereby minimizing barriers to the development of international trade.

UNCITRAL currently has 70 member states. The term of each member state is 6 years, elected by the UN General Assembly on the basis of taking into account the balance of factors such as geographical area, economic system and law. Vietnam was elected for the second consecutive time as a member of UNCITRAL for the term 2025-2031.

The United Nations Convention on Cybercrime was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 24, 2024.

The Convention consists of 9 Chapters and 71 articles, including many important contents such as: Identifying acts considered cybercrimes, from illegal access, system intervention to online child abuse, money laundering obtained from criminal activities; identifying jurisdiction and investigation measures, allowing countries to collect evidence and effectively prosecute cases related to cybercrimes; procedural measures and law enforcement; international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting cybercriminals; preventive measures, emphasizing capacity building and raising awareness of cyber security; technical support and information exchange...

The adoption of the Convention is the result of joint efforts by all UN member states, in which Vietnam has actively participated in this process. For the first time, a multilateral international treaty of global significance in a priority area, such as cybersecurity and digital governance, will be signed in Vietnam.

According to international practice, this document will be referred to as the Hanoi Convention, demonstrating the international community's recognition of Vietnam's active participation, contribution and responsibility in building the Convention in particular and responding to global challenges of the United Nations in general.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-nang-tam-hop-tac-voi-cac-co-quan-lien-hop-quoc-va-thuc-day-cac-sang-kien-da-phuong-tai-vienna-321484.html