For the second time in its 2008-09 term Vietnam has taken over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It has not only coordinated UNSC activities, but also put forward initiatives to increase the operational efficiency of this powerful organisation.

October 31 is the last day of Vietnam’s one-month presidency of the UNSC. One month is not long enough for a UNSC president to make many breakthroughs, however, Vietnam has made an impression on the international community in the past month and in July 2008 when it also chaired the UNSC.

There is no denying that Vietnam has fulfilled its ‘double’ task as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and the chairman of this powerful body. It has built up trustworthy relationships with countries and made practical and effective contributions to the UN and the UNSC in particular.

Presiding over dozens of UNSC sessions and debates within a month is not an easy task for a country like Vietnam, which has only been in the process of regional and international integration for a short period of time. It is worth mentioning that there was a great deal of work to do in October, including unsolved conflicts plus newly arising problems. However, Vietnam has taken great pains to successfully chair these sessions and debates even when some UNSC member countries had different and opposing views.   

Vietnam has tactfully solved issues based on the principle of respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. It considers peaceful negotiations the only way to solve conflicts, respects the mediating roles of the UN and regional organisations, and protects the people’s interests, especially the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women and children.

As the UNSC president, Vietnam has raised the common voice of all countries that cherish peace and support multilateralism towards the goal of guaranteeing the interests of the people.

Vietnam has held dialogues with other UNSC members to resolve differences, create respect for each other’s interests, build up trust and reach a common consensus.

Vietnam has also put forward major initiatives to increase the operational efficiency of this organisation. It has chaired two open debates: one on “Children and Armed Conflicts” in July 2008 and the other on “Women, Peace and Security” in October 2009, with the participation of non-UNSC members.

It has proposed meetings between the UNSC president and other UN members to work on issues to be discussed at the UNSC towards meeting the aspirations of all countries worldwide.

Vietnam has twice chaired the UNSC and it will end its role as a non-permanent member of this powerful organisation at the end of this year. The country has made marked contributions to settling complicated and sensitive international issues, thus elevating its image in the international arena.

Source: VOV