(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has hailed the UN’s role in co-ordinating the actions of countries over the past 75 years, as well as its contributions to ensuring peace and promoting sustainable development.
 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C) speaks at the 11th ASEAN-UN Summit held online on November 15, 2020. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA/VNS) |
PM Phuc said at the 11th ASEAN-UN Summit held online on Sunday that the relationship between ASEAN and the UN has become a model of co-operation between the UN and regional organizations.
He said ASEAN has proven its central role in promoting dialogue and co-operation in common matters for peace, development and stability in the region.
The bloc has also contributed to international efforts led by the UN for peace, security and sustainable development in the world, he added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN has grown stronger than ever in recent years.
He congratulated Vietnam on its role as ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure, and expressed his condolences to the country over losses caused by recent floods and landslides.
“The United Nations stands with the Vietnamese people and Government,” the Secretary-General said.
Mr. Guterres pointed out an array of issues such as the global pandemic, climate emergency, rising geo-political tensions, the risk of nuclear proliferation, persistent poverty, growing inequality and intense conflicts, among others.
The UN Secretary-General welcomed ASEAN’s support for the nuclear non-proliferation regime and his call for a global ceasefire.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, he commended the group’s swift and effective response, saying he welcomed ASEAN’s commitments to regional solidarity and international co-operation.
The UN welcomed ASEAN’s comprehensive recovery framework and is ready to work with the bloc to build resilience, improve preparedness and safeguard the environment, Mr. Guterres said.
He reiterated his appeal at the 10th ASEAN-UN Summit for robust actions in Asia to reverse climate change.
Mr. Guterres also thanked ASEAN for its contribution of 5,000 peacekeepers to UN operations.
Regarding the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), the Secretary-General appreciated ASEAN’s commitments and efforts to a peaceful resolution in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
ASEAN and UN leaders reiterated the importance of national responsibility in building peace, maintaining stability, and ensuring security and safety in the region, particularly amid COVID-19.
They shared the vision on and commitments to common goals of respecting international law, promoting multilateralism, building rule-based global and regional order.
They stressed the goal of building the East Sea into a region of peace, stability, security, and safety and their willingness to enhance dialogue, trust building, and preventive diplomacy on the basis of the UN Charter and international law including the 1982 Un Convention on the Law of the Sea.
They called for full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and the early building of a Code of Conduct.