The April 29 meeting to review activities during the Month of Vietnam’s UNSC Presidency (Photo: VNA) This is the second time Vietnam has assumed the role as President of the UNSCduring its non-permanent membership of the Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
The event saw the participation of over 70 representatives from UNSC memberstates and UN observers.
Duringthe month, Vietnam proposed and chaired four priority events on the role ofregional organisations in enhancingconfidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution, mineaction, protection of objectsindispensable to the survival of the civilian population, andsexual violence in conflict. These topics all put people at the centre and aimedto build and maintain sustainable peace. Along with these events, Vietnam hostedthe drafting of and promoted the adoption of three documents of the Council,including two presidential statements and one resolution.
The most important initiative of Vietnam was the High-levelOpen Debate on "Cooperation between the UN and regional organisations inenhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention andresolution”.
This wasthe first time the President of Vietnam presided over a meeting of the UNSC andalso the first important multilateral diplomatic activity of President NguyenXuan Phuc since the 13th National Party Congress. After the event, the Council’smember countries approved a presidential statement proposed by Vietnam on thistopic.
The debates on mine action and protection of objectsindispensable to the survival of the civilian population, chairedby Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, received attention and appreciation from UNmember states. This was clearly reflected in the co-sponsorship of 65 UN membercountries and the voting in favour of all 15 UNSC members for a resolutiondrafted by Vietnam. Resolution 2537 emphasises the importance of complying withinternational humanitarian law and ensuring humanitarian aid, especially in thecontext of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The UNSC also approved the first presidentialstatement proposed by Vietnam on overcoming the consequences of bombs and mines.The debate on sexual violence in conflict was also welcomed by many UN member countries.
In addition, in the month of Vietnam’s Presidency, the UNSC responded promptlyto emerging issues that threatens international peace and security, including thosein Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Mali, the Great Lakes, West Sahara, Sudan, Somalia,Libya, Abyei Area, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Colombia and Myanmar. Vietnam responded toall the initiatives and proposals of other countries and applied creatively therules and practices of the UNSC, while promoting consultations andconsensus-building for the Council to make timely decisions.
As the UNSC President, Vietnam has promoted the broadestpossible participation in UNSC activities through the organisation of meetingsand discussions with the UN Secretary-General, in-person meetings among UNSCmember states, international press conferences, and many events informing UNSCactivities to UN member and observer states, non-governmental organisations,and others.
During the month Vietnam acted as the UNSC President,as of April 29, the Council held 27 official activities, including five opendebates, eight meetings to listen to reports, two others to vote onresolutions, and seven to negotiate resolutions. It adopted 12 decisions,including four resolutions and two presidential statements, along with fivepress statements and one press release.
The UNSC continues its activities on April 30.
At the review meeting, representatives of UNmember states highly valued Vietnam’s priority activities, especially itspromotion of the UNSC’s attention to the aspect of humanitarian assistance andcivilian protection.
They congratulated Vietnam on successfullyfulfilling the duties of the Council President in April, noting that thecountry smoothly chaired UNSC activities and managed to promote the Council’s consensusand UN member states’ participation and contributions./.
VNA
