The statement was made by National Assembly (N.A.) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue during his meeting with Director-General of the U.N. Office at Vienna (UNOV) Ghada Fathi Waly on September 6 as part of his trip to Austria to attend the fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP5).

Hue thanked the U.N. for its timely and effective support and advice to Vietnam’s national building and development cause, as well as its assistance to the country in getting access to financial resources for poverty reduction, sustainable development and social welfare assurance.

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An overview of the meeting

The Vietnamese legislature's cooperation activities with the U.N. in the region have brought about practical results, serving activities of N.A. agencies and helping to improve skills of lawmakers, he said.

Hue also thanked the U.N. for assisting Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, showing his hope to receive more support in post-pandemic economic development and addressing negative impacts of the pandemic on people's livelihoods.

The top legislator also expressed his wish that the U.N. will continue to promote its role in maintaining international peace and security, promoting respect for international law, and supporting countries, including Vietnam, in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He proposed the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, of which Waly is also the Executive Director, to continue assisting Vietnam in preventing and combating new types of crimes such as cybercrime and crimes related to digital currency and virtual assets.

For her part, Waly affirmed the U.N.’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, adding that in the coming time, the U.N. will focus on intensifying cooperation with parliaments, including the Vietnamese National Assembly.

She hoped Vietnam will soon join the crime prevention network in Southeast Asia and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; and step up cooperation in cyber security and anti-money laundering.

Waly also appreciated and supported Vietnam's proposal made at the U.N. Security Council’s online high-level open debate on enhancing maritime security on the establishment of a network of mechanisms and initiatives on regional maritime security coordinated by the U.N. to increase information and experience sharing, coordinate in taking action, and promptly respond to common challenges. She affirmed the U.N.'s willingness to assist Vietnam in ensuring maritime security.

The official said that the U.N. and Vietnam have many potential areas for cooperation, but should select urgent fields such as women's empowerment and poverty reduction to boost collaboration first, and proposed the establishment of a tripartite cooperation model including the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Vietnam.

Source: VNA