In his addres, the Vietnamese top leader outlined four major priorities for the international community.
First, he called for restoring trust among nations based on the UN Charter and international law. Countries should respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to choose their own development paths, while refraining from interference in internal affairs or threats to use force in violation of the UN Charter.
He said major powers need to take the lead in respecting international law, exercising restraint, and addressing common issues responsibly. The UN must play the central role in these efforts.
In the Asia-Pacific region, General Secretary and President Lam went on, the nearly 60-year development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) demonstrates that countries can transform suspicion into trust, confrontation into dialogue, division into cooperation, and individual strength into collective strength.
He reaffirmed that Vietnam steadfastly resolves disputes, including those in the East Sea, through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while resolutely safeguarding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Seas and oceans must be spaces for peace, cooperation, connectivity, and sustainable development, he stated.
Second, the Vietnamese General Secretary and President urged fostering equitable, humane, inclusive, and sustainable development, saying international commitments must be translated into action to deliver a peaceful, safe, civilised, and happy life for the people. He said development must be people-centered, leaving no one behind.
Third, he urged countries to proactively shape technology governance so that technological progress serves people and global development. Hosting the signing ceremony for the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi in 2025 reflects Vietnam’s desire to make a practical contribution to global digital cooperation, he said.
Vietnam stands ready to work with partners to foster cooperation and enhance capabilities in combating cybercrime, thereby ensuring that people can live safely and benefit from technological advancements, he went on, stressing that it is also willing to support international initiatives on green and digital transitions and the establishment of effective governance frameworks, ensuring that science and technology truly become a driving force for shared development.
Fourth, the Vietnamese top leader underscored the importance of reinforcing multilateralism and the central, irreplaceable role of the UN. To ensure the UN adapts to the transformations of the times, Vietnam supports efforts to reform the organisation, particularly the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Secretariat, aimed at enhancing effectiveness, prioritising structural reform and apparatus streamlining, while leveraging its strengths in implementing global agendas and safeguarding the interests of developing countries, he affirmed.
General Secretary and President To Lam said Vietnam remains steadfast in upholding the UN Charter and international law, promoting dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes, and engaging more deeply in peacekeeping operations.
He emphasised that Vietnam chooses peace, cooperation, and development. As an active member, a trustworthy partner, and a responsible nation, it will persistently work with other countries to strengthen the UN, uphold international law, and translate commitments into tangible benefits for the people, thereby building a peaceful, equitable, inclusive, and better world for all.
On the same day, the Vietnamese top leader met with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in New York.
