Good preparations for integration

By a vote of 157 to 36, Vietnam was elected on Tuesday by the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Established by the General Assembly in 1966, the organization is the core legal body of the United Nations in international trade law. 

Vietnam’s membership of the Commission was part of an external policy of international integration, enhanced multilateral foreign relations, international law engagement, and fostering world peace and prosperity. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said: “We have studied the tasks and functions. We need to revise our trade and investment laws and strengthen coordination between ministries and sectors via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Vietnam contributes rule formulation

Over the years, Vietnam has served on the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). International Law Commission (ILC) membership for the 2017-2021 term secured by Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao in 2016 signal Vietnam’s growing position.

Deputy Foreign Minister Trung said that joining UN mechanisms will enable Vietnam to take advantage of wider knowledge and experience to boost its international integration and economic development: “This is an important mechanism for building a legal framework for international trade. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to participate in and contribute to global trade while ensuring its own interests. For example, Vietnam can learn how to deal with disputes between investors and the government.”

UNCITRAL membership will help Vietnam refine its trade laws to facilitate dispute settlement and strengthen its international trade.