Through its participation in international forums, like the United Nations, Vietnam has gained useful experience and material support for its national development.

 

This venue also provides an opportunity for the country to confirm its consistent policy of respecting international law in resolving territorial disputes. 

 Ambassador Le Hoai Trung to the UN.

 

The UN is the world’s biggest forum involving almost every nation and every endeavour from political security, economics, and culture to science and technology. As the world is facing the mounting challenges such as climate change, food security and social instability in North Africa and the Middle East, the role of UN is becoming more prominent.

 

“The UN encompasses all nations and thousands of non-governmental organizations,” says Le Hoai Trung, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN. “It is a venue for Vietnam to foster relations with many partners and pursue its comprehensive foreign relations policy”.

 

In addition to maintaining world peace and security, the UN initiates social, economic and development programs and gives policy recommendations to member states. Through UN affiliates such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), Vietnam has won financial and technical support for its development.

 

UN assistance for Vietnam has focused on food security, health care, environment, poverty reduction, labor, and social welfare. According to Trung, this year UN organizations have approved US$3 million in aid for Vietnam over the next five years. The country is also working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

 

The UN provides a forum for Vietnam to air its viewpoints on democracy and human rights. This year, Vietnam has worked closely with the UN human rights mechanism and preparing its bid to join the UN Human Rights Council for the 2013-2016 tenure.

 

Hoang Chi Trung, Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for International Organizations says Vietnam has participated in three sessions of the Human Rights Council, received UN expert on the effects of foreign debts on human rights and a UN liaison for healthcare rights.

 

“We hold an annual human rights dialogue with Australia and Switzerland, through which they learn more about Vietnam’s policies and reforms in human rights protection,” says the Deputy Director.

 

Through UN mediation mechanisms including the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement, Vietnam has defended on its unswerving policy in resolving disputes with other nations and elicited international support for its position.

 

“We intend to resolve disputes regarding the East Sea issue and other matters peacefully,” says ambassador Trung. “Vietnam together with China and other countries in the region need to support the Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws, and boost cooperation in the East Sea, on maritime security, and in fighting international crime”.

 

Vietnam and the UN have finalized a joint cooperation plan for 2012-2016 which will serve as common framework for all UN organizations to operate in the country and support its socio-economic development plan for 2011-2015. Both sides are working on a “One UN” Initiative which involves all UN offices in Vietnam.

 

Source: VOVNEWS