(VOVWORLD) - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres co-chaired the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s UN membership on Friday.
 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and delegates attend the ceremony. (photo: VOV) |
Speaking at the event, President Phuc affirmed that becoming the 149th member of the UN started a new historical journey in Vietnam’s national construction and defence. That journey has seen the country reviving from the ruins of wars, its renewal process and deep international integration, and its efforts to become a middle-income developing country with a dynamic economy.
He said that Viet Nam is proud of its efforts to carry out the noble missions of the UN. From being a recipient of humanitarian aid, Viet Nam has become a reliable and responsible partner of the UN in all key areas, effectively implementing many Sustainable Development Goals.
The President said that at the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam has promoted the agenda on women, peace and security, and the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights. Vietnam has been recently elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.
At present, the country is striving for energy and green transition towards the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said: "More than ever, we expect that the UN will continue to play a central role in the global governance, serve as a nucleus connecting international solidarity, and a focal point connecting multilateral efforts to strengthen peace, security, and development cooperation, for a world without wars, conflicts, injustice, poverty, and backwardness. Throughout many years of war, Vietnam has fully understood the significance of peace and values of development."
Mr. Phuc stressed that Vietnam is determined to achieve the goal of wealthy people and strong nation with a just, democratic and civilised society, towards becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045. In such process, cooperation with the UN always holds an important position in Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of relations; and comprehensive, extensive and effective international integration.
Secretary General Guterres said Vietnam once again has the opportunity to be a powerhouse for change, to secure a climate resilient future and to leave no one behind. He expressed his wish to further strengthen the good relationship between the UN and Vietnam to promote peace and sustainable development, respond to climate change, ensure and promote human rights in the world.
He said that Vietnam has made a long leap forward but the development pathway still goes on. Viet Nam could pioneer in new values, including a a safe future given the climate change impact so that one one is left behind.
The UN is proud to partner with Vietnam on this pathway in each and every step and advance forwards together as the Vietnamese National Anthem lyric goes.