VN & UN Security Council: Toward Election & Membership for 2020 - 2021

Photo: VGP

The conference aimed to assess comprehensively and extensively opportunities and challenges for Viet Nam during stages of campaigning and becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) in order to come up with recommendations on necessary preparatory steps for the Government of Viet Nam in this important endeavor.

Speakers at the international conference included H.E. Mr. Olof Skoog, Swedish Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council (2017-2018), delegates from the United Nations Secretariat, the Security Council Report, Australia, Indonesia, and a large number of Vietnamese officials who have contributed to Viet Nam’s success at the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.

The conference attracted more than 100 delegates including the representatives of embassies and international organizations in Ha Noi, various departments of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others ministries from Viet Nam, and scholars specializing on the United Nations.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Dang Dinh Quy assessed that the election to and participation in the United Nations Security Council bring non-permanent members not only a pride but also responsibilities.

Being aware of that great honor and responsibilities, Viet Nam had announced its intention to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. The fact that Viet Nam decided to run for a UNSC non-permanent membership for the second time after the successful 2008-2009 term illustrates Viet Nam’s commitment to its foreign policy for peace, national independence, cooperation and development.

This effort shows the highest level of Viet Nam’s foreign policy of diversification, multilateralization and being an active and responsible member of international organizations.

Delegates at the conference had open exchanges and shared their views on the situation of the United Nations Security Council, opportunities and challenges for a non-permanent member, and experiences of countries in the United Nations Security Council. The conference received constructive and helpful comments for Viet Nam in the process of campaigning and participating in (if elected) the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term./.

By Hoang Ha