10  points on Viet Nam’s membership of  the United Nations Security Council 

for the 2020 – 2021 term  




During its tenure at the United Nations Security Council, Viet Nam: 


    

  1. Fully embraced a multilateral approach, safeguarding and upholding international law and the UN Charter. During the first Presidency of the UNSC in January 2020, Viet Nam convened a High-level Open Debate on “Upholding the UN Charter” and presided over the adoption of a Presidential Statement on this theme. Such efforts underscored the long-standing values and major principles guiding synergized actions between the UNSC, the UN, and the international community. A record number of 111 speakers representing member states and international organizations participated and made statements at this open debate. This demonstrates that Viet Nam’s interests also reflect and align with the common interests of the international community. 
    2. 

  2. Promoted sustainable and comprehensivesolutions to conflicts. This ranges from preventing to addressing the root causes of conflicts and dealing with aftermaths of conflicts on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of disputes. These endeavors always take into account the legitimate interests of all parties concerned, strengthen humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians, and promote dialogue and negotiation, for peace and long-term development of all nations.  
    3. 

  3. Strengthenedhumanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts with concrete and tangible actions. Viet Nam took the lead on the issue as penholder of Resolution 2573 – the first UNSC Resolution on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population in conflict areas. It also identifies attacks against schools, hospitals, and water and energy infrastructures as violations of international humanitarian law. As one of the few resolutions co-sponsored by all 15 UNSC members, Resolution 2573 showed a high level of consensus by the Council on this matter.  
    4. 

  4. Highlighted and drewthe attention of the UNSC and the international community to the long-term consequences of wars and conflicts on the lives  of  ordinary people and the security and development of all nations, including the issue of explosive ramnants of war (ERW). Under Viet Nam’s Presidency of the Council in April 2021, and at Viet Nam’s initiative, the Council adopted a Presidential Statement stressing the  need for further international cooperation  to address the  dire consequences of ERW that infringe upon  the safety and sustainable livelihoods of peoples and communities.  
    5. 

  5. Acted as a bridge-builder and strengthened meaningful cooperation between the UN, the UNSC with regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. Notable efforts include the first ever UNSC briefing on cooperation between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the promotion of ASEAN’s centrality and presence at the UNSC in addressing regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar.  
    6. 

  6. Strengthenedadvocacy and actions to support vulnerable groups in conflicts, particularly women and children. Viet Nam organized the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security and adopted its outcome document “the Hanoi Commitment to Action” (in December 2020), convened  the Open Debate on sexual violence in conflict against women and girls (in April 2021), and hosted the UNSC Arria-Formula Meeting on Addressing Challenges of Children without Parental Care in Conflict Situations (in December 2021).  
    7. 

  7. Activelyenhanced joint efforts in addressing urgent non-traditional security challenges posed to the international community, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and maritime security. Particular focus was given to climate security, with Viet Nam making active contributions to the Like-Minded Group on Climate Security at the UNSC (LMG) and the Informal Expert Group (IEG) of Members of the Security Council on Climate and Security.  
    8. 

  8.  Demonstrateda balanced, transparent and responsible approachin  its work at the UNSC, thereby narrowing differences and promoting dialogue and cooperation. This was particularly evident during Viet Nam’s Presidency of the Council (in January 2020 and April 2021), and  as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan. Viet Nam also served as the Chair of the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals and took the lead in drafting Resolution 2529 on renewing the mandate of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals Prosecutor. 
    9. 

  9. Promotedthe voice of non-permanent members of the UNSC, who represent all UN members. A notable highlight was Viet Nam’s efforts to convening of the annual meeting (in November 2020, in collaboration with Norway and South Africa) between the ten non-permanent members of the UNSC and the five newly elected members of the UNSC for the term 2021 – 2022 to exchange information and enhance coordination.  
    10. 

  10. Madesubstantial contributions to the common work of the UN in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. Such efforts include deploying troops to UN peacekeeping missions, introducing the Resolutions on UN-ASEAN cooperation and on the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, and initiating the establishment of the Group of Friends of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  
    11. 












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