President Luong Cuong attends 80th UNGA: Honouring peace, shared aspirations, and unity in action
WVR - On the occasion of President Luong Cuong and his spouse attending the high-level general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), combined with bilateral activities in the United States (September 21-24), Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, shared with TG&VN the significance of the session and the participation of Vietnam's senior leaders.
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| President Luong Cuong and his spouse will attend the high-level general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), combined with bilateral activities in the United States (September 21-24). (Source: VNA) |
The main theme of the 80th UN General Assembly session and the High-Level Week is: “Together for a Better Future: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development, and Human Rights”, encapsulating the three enduring “missions” of the United Nations throughout its past, present, and future. Ambassador, could you share your insights on the importance and key highlights of this session?
The 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session takes place in the context of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' founding.
Over the past eight decades, the United Nations has been a leader in promoting multilateral cooperation and has made significant contributions to global peace, security, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights.
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| Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
From the first ceasefire monitoring efforts in the Middle East to dozens of peacekeeping missions across continents; from Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) to efforts in addressing the aftermath of landmines; from the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea to the Convention on Cybercrime Prevention; from the first resolution on the decade to eradicate poverty to the 2030 Agenda and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the international treaty system for the protection and promotion of human rights – the United Nations has been realizing its mission.
Therefore, the theme “Together for a Better Future: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development, and Human Rights” not only summarizes the three core pillars of the United Nations' mission since its inception but also calls on the international community to continue to unite and act for common goals.
During the High-Level Week of the 80th session, alongside the high-level general debate, the United Nations will organize a series of high-level events, with the highlight being the session commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, to reflect on achievements and shape a vision for a more comprehensive and effective multilateral system.
Specialized high-level events such as the Climate Summit, the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Summit on a Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Economy, the session on Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Mental Health Promotion, and the session launching the Global Dialogue on AI Governance – will provide an opportunity for world leaders to share assessments and discuss solutions for common concerns of the international community today.
Taking place amidst profound changes and unprecedented challenges facing the world and the United Nations, the theme of the 80th UNGA and the content of the conferences are highly relevant and timely.
This is an occasion for a large gathering of national and international leaders to exchange and propose solutions to global challenges, outline a strategic vision for the United Nations, and aim for a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world.
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| The 80th United Nations General Assembly session takes place in the context of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' founding. (Source: un.org) |
The session coincides with the 80th anniversary of the world's largest multilateral organization. Ambassador, could you elaborate on the significance of Vietnam's senior leadership attending the UNGA High-Level Week and the message Vietnam wishes to convey on this occasion?
The UNGA High-Level Week of the 80th session occurs at a particularly significant time. The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' founding and also the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – both entities born from the aspiration for peace, national independence, and human progress.
From the early days of the nation, President Ho Chi Minh expressed Vietnam's desire to join the United Nations. However, our nation had to endure two prolonged wars over three decades to defend its independence and unity before this aspiration became a reality in 1977.
Since then, Vietnam and the United Nations have been close partners, sharing aspirations and united in action on the development journey. The United Nations has accompanied Vietnam from the early post-war days, providing humanitarian support and reconstruction efforts, to the reform period, supporting the process of institutional and legal development, and international integration in various fields.
It can be said that the United Nations has had a widespread presence throughout Vietnam's reconstruction, reform, and development process.
Therefore, President Luong Cuong leading the high-level Vietnamese delegation at the UNGA High-Level Week of the 80th session is highly significant, affirming Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism and the core values of the United Nations.
The participation of the President and the delegation not only reflects the deep interest of the Party and State in multilateral cooperation and the major agendas of the United Nations but also affirms Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, multilateral, diversified foreign policy, proactively and actively integrating into the world comprehensively, deeply, and effectively.
At the UNGA, President Luong Cuong is expected to emphasize the key message of “Honoring the Value of Peace, Transforming Strongly to Build a Sustainable Future”. It is a sincere yet powerful message from a nation that has endured the pain and loss of war, and the difficulties of blockade and embargo, thus deeply understanding the precious value of peace and international cooperation.
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| The UNGA adopted a resolution on preparations for the High-Level Conference on Disease Prevention, co-chaired by Vietnam and Chile on September 5. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
Peace is the solid foundation for all social progress and development, as well as ensuring a better, more sustainable future for all people.
This message also affirms Vietnam's strong determination to achieve strategic goals to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045; while striving and accompanying all nations to shoulder common responsibilities, overcome challenges, and promote strong transformation to build a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and sustainable world, bringing happiness and prosperity to all people.
In the new era of the country and the new mindset of Vietnam's diplomacy, along with 80 years of building and development, what are your expectations for Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy in general and Vietnam's contributions to the United Nations' mission in the coming time?
We have a very solid foundation to confidently enter a new era of national development. This foundation is forged from the nation's heroic history, the strong development achievements of the country, and increasingly strengthened by an open foreign policy landscape, comprehensive international integration, and the wise leadership of the Party and State.
In recent times, we have achieved many great accomplishments, enhancing Vietnam's image in the eyes of international friends, clearly demonstrating Vietnam as an active, responsible, and proactive member in participating in the United Nations' common activities.
Vietnam has also put forward many initiatives, clearly demonstrating its readiness to shoulder the common tasks of the United Nations to promote multilateralism and join hands in action in a complex international environment.
This is a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue to participate deeply and contribute more to the United Nations, focusing on promoting multilateralism, respecting international law and the United Nations Charter; making substantive contributions to maintaining regional and international peace and stability; timely and effectively responding to global challenges, especially commitments to climate change action; and continuing to actively implement the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda and enhance participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
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| Female soldiers participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions during the rehearsal for the National Day Parade on September 2. |
Additionally, Vietnam will continue to run for and assume important positions within the United Nations, such as preparing to assume the role of Chair of the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2026, running for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, and the position of Judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026-2036 term.
Notably, in October, Vietnam will host the Signing Ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi – the first time a United Nations Convention will bear the name Hanoi Convention.
Vietnam will also accompany, support, and contribute to the United Nations' reform efforts, aiming for a leaner, more cohesive, and effective United Nations, based on the successful implementation experience of the “Delivering as One” initiative of United Nations organizations in Vietnam.
Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025, of the Politburo on international integration in the new form has affirmed the role of international integration in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. In this, multilateral diplomacy in general and participation, contribution to the United Nations in particular will continue to be an important pillar in implementing the foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, contributing to promoting and supporting comprehensive and effective international integration, creating momentum for Vietnam to confidently enter a new era, building a strong, prosperous, and happy nation.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
