Addressing a plenary session of the U.N. General Assembly’s 79th session held in New York on January 16 to introduce and discuss the priorities of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for 2025, Giang said that the 80th founding anniversary of the U.N. in 2025 presents a significant opportunity for the international community to look back on achievements thus far and outline new and appropriate directions to address global challenges in the time ahead.
    |
 |
|
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the U.N. addresses the session. |
For Vietnam, 2025 also marks the 80th anniversary of its independence, he said.
Vietnam welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future and pledges to promote the effective implementation this agreement to ensure a better and more sustainable future for all, the Vietnamese representative stated.
He underlined that in the context of rising geopolitical tensions, the U.N. should continue to prioritize the maintenance of international peace and security while urging member states to uphold and adhere to international law and the U.N. Charter, refrain from the use of force, and settle disputes by peaceful means.
On sustainable development, the ambassador praised the U.N. Secretary-General’s leadership in promoting international cooperation and support to accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate finance. He expressed his hope for the timely and effective rollout of the SDG Stimulus package.
At the session, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged both positive developments and challenges facing the international community at the start of 2025.
He noted significant progress in peace negotiations in Gaza, as well as in clean energy, gender equality, and healthcare.
However, he pointed out four major crises - ongoing and escalating conflicts in several regions, widening inequality, the growing impacts of climate change, and the risks posed by advancements in science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence which may exceed human control.
To address these significant challenges, Guterres underscored the need for coordinated action and global cooperation through U.N. initiatives and frameworks, with a focus on the implementation of the Pact for the Future in the coming period.
Source: VNA