Through its participation in international forums, like the United Nations, Vietnam has gained useful experience and material support for its national development. This venue also provides an opportunity for Vietnam to confirm its unswerving policy of respecting international law in resolving territorial disputes.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN Le Hoai Trung

The UN is the world’s biggest forum involving almost every nation and every endeavor from political security, economics, and culture to science and technology. As the world is facing the mounting challenges such as climate change, food security and social instability in North Africa and the Middle East, the role of UN is becoming more prominent. Vietnam values the UN role in the implementation of its international integration policy as Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN Le Hoai Trung puts it: “The UN encompasses all nations and thousands of non-governmental organizations. It is a venue for Vietnam to accelerate relations with many partners and pursue its comprehensive foreign relations policy”.

In addition to maintaining world peace and security, the UN initiates social, economic and development programs and gives policy recommendations to member states. Through UN affiliates such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) Vietnam has won financial and technical support for its development. UN assistance for Vietnam has focused on food security, health care, environment, poverty reduction, labor, and social welfare. Ambassador Trung said: “This year, UN organizations have approved aid packages for Vietnam worth about 3 million USD over the next 5 years.  Vietnam will cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes”.  

The UN also provides a forum for Vietnam to air its viewpoints on democracy and human rights. This year, Vietnam has worked closely with the UN human rights mechanism and preparing its bid to join the UN Human Rights Council for the 2013-2016 tenure. Hoang Chi Trung, Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for International Organizations  said: “Vietnam has participated in 3 sessions of the Human Rights Council, received UN expert on the effects of foreign debts on human rights and a UN liaison for health care rights. We hold an annual human right dialogue with Australia and Switzerland, through which they learn more about Vietnam’s policies and reforms in human rights protection”.

Through UN mediation mechanisms including the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement, Vietnam has defended on its unswerving policy in resolving disputes with other nations and elicited international support for its position: “Regarding the Eat Sea issue and other matters, we intend to resolve disputes peacefully. Vietnam together with China and other countries in the region need to support the Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws, boost cooperation in the East Sea, on maritime security, an international crime reduction”.  

Vietnam and the UN have finalized a joint cooperation plan for the 2012-2016 period, which will serve as common framework for all UN organizations in Vietnam. Both sides are building an initiative called “One UN”, which involves all UN offices in Vietnam.   

Anh Huyen