Vietnam Successfully Undertakes International Responsibilities

Uch Leang, deputy head of the Department of Asian, African and Middle Eastern Studies under the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC)’s Institute of International Relations. Photo: NDO

According to scholar Uch Leang, in 2008, for the first time, Vietnam assumed the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term. Vietnam has successfully completed the UN’s important task of preserving international peace and security.

In 2020, Vietnam continued to be elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term with a record high number of votes (192/193 votes). From September 13, 2022, Vietnam became one of the Vice Presidents of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s 77th session representing the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam held this position within a year.

“During the two terms, Vietnam has contributed to the common work of the Security Council in the spirit of responsibility and balance, multilateralization and diversification of relations, comprehensive international integration; maintained a consistent stance in compliance with the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.

Vietnam has demonstrated its capacity, promoted its leading role, and proposed many valuable initiatives, such as the establishment of the UNCLOS Group of Friends and the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness (December 27),” said Uch Leang.

According to a researcher from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, during his recent visit to Vietnam, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appreciated Vietnam’s role and voice in the international arena. He fully supported the main pillars of Vietnam’s development path.

The Secretary-General said that Vietnam is facing the opportunity to become a pioneer for new values so that it can preserve a safe future against the impacts of climate change, leaving no one behind.

Scholar Uch Leang also emphasized that Vietnam’s second election to the UN Human Rights Council shows that Vietnam’s strong commitments and efforts in promoting and protecting human rights have been recognized and trusted by the international community.

A meeting of the 77th UN General Assembly. Photo: UN

With a new role at the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam will have a stronger voice on key issues of the UN and the international community such as implementing the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development, responding to climate change, migration, protecting and promoting the rights of women, children, people with disabilities, minorities and humanitarian issues.

Vietnam’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025 is also a strong affirmation, smashing the distorting allegations, and deliberately denying Vietnam’s achievements in human rights issues.

“This event has marked another milestone, a new victory in the diplomatic field. It also affirms Vietnam’s prestige and position in the international arena, shows the strategic thinking as well as the effectiveness of the Party and State of Vietnam’s foreign policy,” said Uch Leang.

He said that Vietnam can do well in any important role. Since officially becoming a member of the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam has made effective contributions to the UN’s activities in peacebuilding, development, and guarantee of human rights.

According to Uch Leang, Vietnam is trusted by ASEAN countries to be the representative to participate in the candidacy of the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025.

The international community, including Cambodia, believes that Vietnam will fulfill its duties at the UN Human Rights Council, joining hands with the international community to build a peaceful world, and ensuring human rights in all countries.