In his speech, PM Phuc outlined that over the past 75 years the world has not endured another world war and instead enjoyed a long period of peace. Friendships have been maintained and strengthened while poverty and diseases have gradually been reduced or eradicated, ultimately changing human life for the better.
These tremendous achievements could only have been achieved with the active participation of the UN in its role as a centre for co-ordinating common actions among nations based on the UN Charter, the PM stressed.
Despite these positives, the world is currently facing a range of unprecedented challenges, according to the Vietnamese PM. Indeed, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in addition to other challenges such as instability, conflict, monopolies over resources, uneven power balances, and climate change, among others , is threatening peace and the sustainable development of all people.
During the speech, PM Phuc quoted the Vietnamese saying, “Calamity is man's true touchstone,” and said in the current context all countries must boost solidarity, co-operation, and multilateralism with the UN at its core. This should happen while strictly complying with the UN Charter and international law, along with thoroughly respecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of each country.
Citizens should be placed at the centre of all developmental endeavors in order to ensure that no one is left behind, the PM stressed.
Sharing the Vietnamese development experience, PM Phuc said that through decades of wars and after 35 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, modern-day Vietnam is confidently developing dynamically. This has been achieved by restructuring the economy, actively integrating into the world, and participating responsibly in a number of multilateral forums, especially the UN, striving for the ultimate goal of building a rich people, a strong state and a fair, democratic, and civilised society.
PM Phuc went on to note that the country has basically brought the COVID-19 pandemic under control, therefore allowing it to gradually put its economy back on track thanks to its own efforts, along with co-operation with many countries and international organisations.
On this occasion, the PM thanked countries for having elected Vietnam as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and affirmed that the country is doing its best to fulfill this obligation. Simultaneously, he said as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam and its member states are striving to build a united, resilient, and prosperous ASEAN Community.
The Vietnamese people are therefore determined to work alongside all people worldwide in order to maintain peace and successfully implement the UN sustainable development goals up to 2030, while the Vietnamese flag will fly high at more UN peacekeeping missions globally, the Vietnamese PM stated.
He concluded by expressing his belief that with great determination and effort, “we will together build a peaceful world and a bright future for today and tomorrow”.
The UN marked its 75th anniversary with a one-day high-level meeting at the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
This special event took place on the theme “The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism”.
Heads of state and government of 182 countries made speeches at the meeting in a video format.
