Mr. President,

Viet Nam welcomes the convening of this Open Debate and appreciates the continued attention by the Security Council to the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Viet Nam aligns itself with the statement made by the Permanent Representative of the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN. 

Mr. President,

The rule of law among nations is the bedrock upon which the modern international order rests and constitutes the foundation of a peaceful, prosperous and just world. 

Therefore, the rule of law, multilateralism and international peace and security are closely associated. We need to rely on multilateralism to protect the international rules-based order and adhere to international law to maintain and strengthen international peace and security. 

Nevertheless, we have witnessed with concerns various challenges to the rule of law and multilateralism that have serious implications for the international legal rules-based order and international peace and security. 

Against this backdrop, Viet Nam has time and again underscored the importance of respect for the UN Charter and the principles of international law. 

These include the principles of respect for independence and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in internal affairs of states, refrainment from the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, and good faith fulfillment of international obligations. 

All States, large and small, bear the primary responsibility in the adherence to these principles. 

Our actions, both individually and collectively, must be guided by and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. 

The United Nations and its main bodies, including the General Assembly, the Security Council and the International Court of Justice, must continue to play a central role in promoting cooperation, dialogue and solidarity, for the sake of international peace and security, through the rule of law and multilateralism. 

The Security Council must be at the forefront to ensure the respect for the UN Charter and the rule of law, so as to find peaceful and lasting solutions to all conflicts. Council members must take the lead by setting good examples themselves in this regard. 

Mr. President, 

Viet Nam fully commits to working closely with member states and other partners to promote and ensure stronger adherence to the UN Charter and the rule of law among nations. 

During Viet Nam’s presidency of the Security Council in January 2020, the Council adopted a Presidential Statement on “Upholding the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security”. 

In 2021, Viet Nam co-founded the Group of Friends of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Members of the Group, now numbering nearly 120 including a number of members of this Council, seek to renew our collective commitment to promote the understanding and implementation of UNCLOS. 

At regional level, Viet Nam has actively taken part in various initiatives to maintain peace and security and to promote the rule of law in the region within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the negotiation of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in accordance with UNCLOS. 

In conclusion, Mr. President, Viet Nam strongly believes that it is only by working together to ensure respect for the rule of law that we can secure peace, prosperity and justice, thereby achieving the purposes of the United Nations.

I thank you./.