PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Photo: VNA)
(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has praised the UN’s support and cooperation with Vietnam, especially in realising the Millennium Development Goals and the “Delivering as One” and the “One UN House” initiatives.
At a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Hanoi on Friday, PM Dung said Vietnam hoped for further assistance and policy consultation from the UN to improve its capacity of building quality and feasible programs and development goals.
He said Vietnam is willing to work with the UN and the international community in implementing commitments and action programs towards sustainable development including the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, for regional and global peace and prosperity. Ban said the UN is calling on the world community to join hands to realize the goals in economics, social affairs, and environmental protection by 2030. The UN chief noted that vital cornerstones will be created if the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda is approved by world leaders in September and an agreement of parties to the 21st UN Climate Change Conference later this year is reached. He expressed his hope that Vietnam will strongly engage in this process.
Regarding the East Sea issue, as the UN Secretary General, he has continually recommended concerned parties refrain from actions that could elevate tensions. Ban called for the sides to respect and adhere to international law and shortly issue a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The UN and he himself is willing to attend multilateral discussions on this issue provided that concerned parties agree, according to the Secretary General. He supported Vietnam’s stance on asking relevant sides to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to enhance mutual trust; exercise self-restrain; not intimidate or use force; solve differences and disputes peacefully in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); conduct substantive negotiations to early reach an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea; and immediately stop unilateral actions or use of force to adjust the status quo in the East Sea.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed Vietnam’s candidacy as a member of UN agencies in the coming time. The two leaders exchanged opinions on Vietnam’s efforts in building a state ruled by law and a judicial system that ensure effective national governance, citizen rights, human rights, equal rights of ethnic minority groups, and the right to religious and faith freedom. Both sides also touched upon Vietnam’s corruption prevention and control and a roadmap to reduce crimes subject to the death penalty.