STATEMENT BY H.E. LE HOAI TRUNG
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam
at the Security Council Virtual Open Debate
on "Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace:
Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity"
3 November 2020
Mr. President,
I sincerely thank you, H.E. Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for chairing this important Open Debate. As the UN is celebrating its the 75th anniversary, this meeting takes place at a right time for us to reflect on contemporary drivers of conflicts and insecurity and strengthen our efforts towards peacebuilding and sustaining peace. I thank the Deputy Secretary-General and other briefers for their insightful briefings.
Mr. President,
As we are all aware today, the international community continues to face serious threats and challenges as a result of the lack of respect for or even breach of the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter and elaborated in UNGA Resolution 2625 (1970) on "Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations", especially those pertaining to sovereign equality of states, non-use or threat of use of force and peaceful settlement of disputes. These are the drivers of tensions, conflicts and confrontation. They are manifested in the imposition of one's wills on others, the interference in internal affairs of sovereign States, as well as complicated developments regarding the arms race, especially in the nuclear field, and the violation of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the enormous significance of the sea and ocean to international peace, security and development acquires even a greater dimension. The Covid-19 pandemic is a calamitous incidence of non-traditional security challenges.
With that, Mr. President, please allow me to emphasize the followings:
We need to develop friendly relations among nations and build up a culture of upholding the UN Charter and international law. We call on all parties to conflicts to exercise maximum restraint, validate a global ceasefire as called for by the Secretary-General and observe international obligations in order to ease tensions and resume dialogues towards lasting solutions. We also call for the lifting of unilateral sanctions that adversely affect socio-economic development and the livelihood of people in conflict-ridden areas.
Multilateralism should be further enhanced with the UN at the core of international cooperation to harmonize interests and behaviors of Member States and strengthen partnership with other regional and sub-regional organizations. The Security Council should stay united during the decision-making process, make the best use of available tools, particularly preventive diplomacy and mediation, and embark on the reform of UN peace operations.
Due attention must be paid to address the root causes of conflicts and insecurity rather than solely address the consequences themselves. Efforts should be intensified at all stages from early warning, prevention to peaceful resolution of conflicts, from post-conflict recovery to sustainable development. Priority should be accorded to the protection of civilians, including the most vulnerable ones, as well as dealing with bomb and mine consequences and victim assistance.
And, coordinated efforts of the international community need to embark on a resilient economic recovery, a human-centric approach, a global partnership for development and an efficient functioning of global governance where developing countries, most of those hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and external shocks, are properly assisted with finance, technology and market access.
Mr. President,
Rising from the situation of a poor, less-developed and the ashes of a war-torn land to become a middle-income country, Viet Nam values and will remain committed to being a reliable partner for sustainable peace and development. Together with other ASEAN members, we have been striving to build an ASEAN Community of mutual care, support and sharing, a South East Asia of peace, security and stability as well as a regional environment conducive to good neighborliness, cooperation and prosperity. Viet Nam stands ready to work with all partners and stakeholders to cope with challenges of the time.
I thank you, Mr. President./.