Vietnam and United Nations: Close partners on a shared journey for peace and development
WVR - Eighty years ago, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. That same year, the United Nations was established, embarking on a journey to maintain peace and promote independence and self-determination for nations. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, shared with the press about the similarities and prospects in the Vietnam - United Nations cooperation.
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| General Secretary, President To Lam attended and give speeech at the Future Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York (USA), with the participation of numerous high-level leaders from countries, international and regional organizations focusing on addressing major global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and economic crisis, on September 22-23, 2024. (Source: UN) |
Ambassador, 80 years have passed since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. 80 years ago was also the time when the United Nations (UN) was established with the noble goals of peace, independence, equality among nations, and national self-determination. How do you assess the similarities in aspirations, development journeys, and the companionship between Vietnam and the United Nations throughout this historical journey?
Eighty years ago, the UN was established as humanity emerged from the ashes of World War II. And 80 years ago, on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the historic Declaration of Independence, leading our nation out of the long night of slavery, freeing it from colonial oppression, and establishing an independent Vietnam.
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The establishment of the UN and the adoption of the UN Charter, as well as Vietnam's Declaration of Independence, opened new chapters in the history of humanity and Vietnam. There are many similarities in these two historical documents, as both express aspirations for peace, national independence, development, and international cooperation.
Over the past 80 years, the UN has achieved many successes in realizing that spirit. Most notably, the UN has prevented the occurrence of a third world war and made significant contributions to preventing and resolving conflicts, bringing peace to many regions worldwide, especially through peacekeeping activities.
The UN has also made crucial contributions through development agendas, environmental protection, climate change response, disease prevention, and the establishment of important international treaties in various fields such as disarmament, human rights, and maritime and ocean law, creating frameworks for effective international and multilateral cooperation globally.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese nation, despite decades of war followed by years of embargo, has stood firm, risen strongly, and made remarkable progress.
Vietnam has contributed to the world through its struggles for independence and national unification. The two wars against colonial and imperial powers were concrete actions contributing to the common effort to uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. The victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 sparked a wave of national liberation movements worldwide, particularly in Africa, leading to a significant increase in UN membership. In 1960 alone, 17 countries were admitted to the UN, marking the largest expansion of membership in the organization's history.
From a recipient of UN aid, Vietnam has gradually become a responsible, reliable, and effective member of the UN, participating increasingly deeply in the three main pillars of peace and security, development cooperation, and human rights.
From a nation once under embargo, Vietnam has consistently strived to be an active and responsible member of the international community, upholding international law, promoting peaceful dispute resolution, disarmament, and arms race prevention, and contributing financially and with personnel to peacekeeping operations.
In summary, Vietnam and the UN are close partners, sharing aspirations and accompanying each other in action on the journey of establishment and development.
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| The female peacekeeping force during the military parade celebrating the 80th National Day, September 2. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
From a war-torn country facing many difficulties under embargo, Vietnam today has emerged as a dynamic developing nation, achieving significant economic and social accomplishments. At the same time, Vietnam is an active, proactive member making substantial contributions to the UN's common goals. Could you share what these achievements mean for the journey to bring prosperity and happiness to the people, as well as in affirming Vietnam's role, reputation, and unique identity on the international stage?
Vietnam is a success story of a self-reliant nation, recognized by many friends and partners as an inspiration for developing countries. That is our unique identity.
The "Vietnam story" at the UN is also linked to the support from the world's largest multilateral organization. The UN has accompanied Vietnam right after the war, supporting efforts to rebuild the country and providing emergency humanitarian aid. We may not forget the essential food supplies from the World Food Programme, or the water wells under UNICEF's clean water program, or the expanded immunization program with assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO)….
Entering the reform period, the UN continued to support us in institutional and legal building and international integration. In many fields, from poverty alleviation, health, population, agriculture and rural development, to the environment, the UN has had a widespread presence throughout Vietnam's reform and development process.
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| Vietnam cherishes peace, is a responsible member, and participates more actively, proactively, and effectively in the UN's common work in addressing global challenges. (Source: VGP) |
The "Vietnam story" is also a typical story of a nation contributing responsibly and actively, increasingly and practically, to the UN's common activities. Vietnam has twice served on the UN Security Council, twice on the UN Human Rights Council, and participated in leadership mechanisms of various UN funds, programs, and forums. Notably, Vietnam has sent over 1,000 officers and soldiers from the Vietnam People's Army and Public Security to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.
We have also proposed new initiatives at the UN, warmly supported by many countries and international friends, including the initiative for International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, International Day of Play, and the establishment of the Group of Friends of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to promote the international community's common interest in these very important issues.
In 2025, Vietnam will assume the role of Chair of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the first time and will soon host the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime and chair the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
With all these efforts, we continue to tell the very distinctive "Vietnam story", increasingly affirming our prestige and position and continuing to inspire international friends at the UN forum and on the international stage in general.
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| Image of helicopters carrying the Vietnamese national flag over Ba Dinh during the military parade celebrating the 80th National Day, September 2. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In a world full of upheaval with increasing global challenges, how should Vietnam promote the spirit of "self-reliance, resilience, confidence, and national pride" to continue accompanying and contributing more effectively to the UN and multilateralism while maintaining independence, sovereignty, and protecting national interests in the new era?
We have an incredibly solid foundation to confidently step into the new era of national development. This foundation is built on the nation's heroic history, the country's strong development achievements, reinforced by an open foreign policy, comprehensive and effective international integration, and guided by the correct policies and wise leadership of the Party.
This is also a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue actively participating and contributing more to the international community and the United Nations in all fields, from maintaining world peace to sustainable development and ensuring human rights. In this process, we have the "Vietnam story" to continue sharing with friends worldwide, spreading the spirit of "self-reliance, resilience, confidence, and national pride".
Vietnam will continue to adhere to an independent, self-reliant, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, respecting the United Nations Charter and international law. With new strength and position, Vietnam is not only confident in contributing more actively and effectively 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 regulations in many fields where we have interests and strengths, playing the role of mediator and conciliator when conditions permit.
On every step of international integration, Vietnam always places national interests as the guiding principle and imbues the spirit of 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 pioneering spearhead, contributing to protecting the country from afar, creating a peaceful environment, and leveraging conditions and resources to develop the country, bringing prosperity and happiness to every Vietnamese citizen. For us - those working in foreign affairs - it is tradition, honor, and determination to serve the Fatherland and the people.
