Vietnam News Today (Aug. 13): Vietnam Participates More Deeply in UN Peacekeeping Operations

Illustrative image. Source: VNA

Vietnam records 2,192 new Covid-19 cases on August 12

Vietnam logged an additional 2,192 Covid-19 cases on August 12, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new infections raised the country’s total caseload since the pandemic broke out to 11,362,540.

A total 5,897 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on the day, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 10,009,451. There are 116 patients in serious conditions needing breathing support, cited VNA.

One death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,096.

On the day, 630,923 doses of Covid-19 vaccines were administered, raising the total number of shots given out to 250,409,815.

Given the appearance of BA.4, BA.5 sub-variants of the coronavirus, especially in southern provinces, the ministry said it will keep a close watch on the situation, and sketch out scenarios and measures to deal with emerging cases.

Vietnam participates more deeply in UN peacekeeping operations

The nation will play a more extensive role in future UN peacekeeping operations, including expanding the number of missions conducted by Vietnamese peacekeeping forces through forms of deployment.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien made the statement during a reception held on August 12 in Hanoi for Pauline Tamesis resident coordinator of the UN in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Chien emphasized that this year is of great significance as it will mark the 45th anniversary of the country’s participation in the UN.

History shows that Vietnam has closely co-ordinated with international organisations, especially the UN, in order to carry out a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and being a responsible member of the wider international community.

The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the goodwill and co-operation of the UN and their competent agencies in Vietnam in the past, especially the role of the Office of the Resident Coordinator when Vietnam took on the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020. As well as when the country served as a non-permanent member of the UN Nations Security Council from 2020 to 2021.

He therefore thanked the UN and relevant agencies for working closely with the nation to successfully carry out many activities relating to the settlement of historic conflicts, particularly programs and projects dealing with unexploded ordnances and toxic chemicals, with these having positive outcomes.

The official said he hopes the UN will continue co-ordinating with the Defence Ministry in war aftermath settlement activities through financial and technical aid, capacity building, experience sharing, and database building.

Since the country officially engaged in UN peacekeeping forces in 2014, it has successfully deployed over 500 personnel to peacekeeping missions and to the UN headquarters. It also became the first nation in Southeast Asia to conduct three training courses on heavy engineering equipment under the Vietnam – UN – Japan trilateral partnership programme, receiving great feedback from UN leaders.

At the reception. Image source: qdnd.vn

Most notably, Vietnam has always maintained a rate of female participation in peacekeeping operations higher than average, as well as making pledges to maintain and increase the rate to over 20% by 2025, according to Deputy Minister Chien.

Moving forward, the nation will further become involved in UN peacekeeping operations, including sending personnel to more missions and diversifying participation forms, he noted, adding that it plans to deploy police to aid in operations, according to VOV.

The official requested that the global body maintain its support for Vietnamese commitments and political resolve as it joins peacekeeping operations, as well as offering the best possible conditions to further ramp up co-operation in this regard.

In response, Tamesis hailed Vietnamese efforts, especially its military and police forces, in bringing the Covid-19 pandemic under control.

The UN will assist the Vietnamese Government and people to secure the best possible post-pandemic socio-economic recovery, as well as meeting healthcare-related demands, she went on to add.

The official said she recently had the honor of signing the Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation with the Vietnamese Government, describing it as a very important document which outlines the UN’s strategy and assistance priorities for the country over the next five years. The document also underscored the UN’s role in helping the country recover after the pandemic and ensure that no one is left behind.

The Resident Coordinator applauded Vietnamese achievements in joining UN peacekeeping operations, including the high rate of female participation, noting that the UN pledges to continue assistance in this field.

The UN also greatly values Vietnam sending police officers to peacekeeping operations, including three to the mission in South Sudan and one to the Police Division in New York, Tamesis said.

Vietnamese, Lao localities forge cooperation

Secretary of the Party Committee of the northern province of Ninh Binh Nguyen Thi Thu Ha has expressed her hope that Ninh Binh and the Lao capital city of Vientiane will step up cooperation and mutual support, NDO reported.

Ha, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee and head of the delegation of National Assembly deputies of Ninh Binh, hosted a reception on August 12 for Anouphap Tounalom, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Vientiane.

The two localities should cooperate and share experience in Party and administration building as well as socio-economic development, creating a foundation for long-term collaboration, she told the visiting Lao official.

Ninh Binh leaders host a reception for the Vientiane delegation. Photo: NDO

Stronger bilateral diplomatic ties between the two localities would contribute to consolidating and tightening the Vietnam-Laos great traditional friendship, she continued.

The Lao official, in reply, said his visit to Ninh Binh aimed to enhance the relations between Vietnam and Laos as well as Ninh Binh and Vientiane, and intensify coordination and connectivity between the local Party Organisations and administrations.

The two localities hold a lot of potential and strength for cooperation, especially in tourism, he said, suggesting they step up exchanges and signing of cooperation agreements.

Storm Mulan circulation leaves six dead and missing

A total of six people have been confirmed dead with several others missing throughout the northern region following torrential rains and floods caused by Storm Mulan’s circulation.

This information was released by the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control at noon on August 12.

Photo: VOV

The victims include a 15-year-old boy residing in the northern province of Lao Cai, three people in Lac Thuy district, and two others in Kim Boi district of Hoa Binh province, cited VOV.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) said that the northern region, Thanh Hoa province, and Hanoi have experienced torrential rain and thunderstorms, with a rainfall measuring between 20mm and 50mm on August 12.

Furthermore, there is also a high risk of flash floods and landslides occurring in mountainous provinces and flooding hitting low-lying areas.

In order to deal with this situation, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has requested that northern localities arrange forces to warn and guide traffic flow at submerged routes, thereby preventing both people and vehicles from passing through dangerous areas.

Vietnam’s education keeps international rankings despite Covid-19: Deputy PM

The education sector has maintained its international rankings, and further overhauled the general education curriculum and textbooks in the 2021-2022 academic year despite serious Covid-19-induced difficulties, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

Dam made the comment at a conference held by the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi on August 12 to review outcomes of the past academic year and deploy tasks for the coming one.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the conference. Photo: VNA

The official requested that the sector continue with comprehensive reforms to enhance the quality of teaching and learning activities, VNA reported.

He noted there is a need to review and proactively propose a mechanism on tuition fees, ensure an adequate number of teachers and school facilities, and promote digital learning materials and the online learning method.

The spending on education must increase to ensure the quality of education, but the contribution of students’ families should not increase, the Deputy PM said.