UN Deputy Secretary-General visits

In the meeting, President Tran Dai Quang welcomed Jan Eliasson in his new position as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. The state president also expressed the appreciation for the valuable support of the United Nations, contributing to Vietnam’s development from a poor, underdeveloped, war-ravaged country to become a middle income country with social and political stability, high economic growth. He underscored Vietnam’s commitment to joining the United Nations’ efforts for a peaceful world and sustainable development. Vietnam wants the UN to continue upholding its role in maintaining global peace, security and helping member states successfully realise agreements of historic significance adopted last year, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. President Quang thanked the UN agencies in Vietnam for their joint work to devise the 2017-2021 UN-Vietnam Joint Co-operation Plan.

President Tran Dai Quang welcomed UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson (TTXVN)

On Wednesday, the UN Deputy Secretary-General also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh. In the meeting, the deputy prime minister emphasised that the drought and salt water intrusion in the south central coast, Central Highlands, and especially, the Mekong Delta were the worst in nearly a century while acknowledging the assistance Vietnam had received from the UN and other countries in implementing an emergency drought and saltwater intrusion response plan. Eliasson highly valued Vietnam’s responsible and effective contributions at UN forums, including as a member of the UN Human Rights Council between 2014 and 2016 and the UN Economic and Social Council for the 2016-2018 term. Vietnam has also participated in the reform of the UN and sent forces to UN peacekeeping missions.

Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and UN Deputy Secretary-General ​Jan Eliasson (TTXVN)