Viet Nam takes UNSC chair
(01-07-2008)
HA NOI — Viet Nam will officially begin its month-long chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from today, affirming the country’s increasing political role in settling issues of conflict that are important to international security, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Viet nam’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council, said the country would contribute to the council’s decisions and reflect concern on the legitimate interests of member countries and relevant agencies.
"Viet Nam is committed to contributing to the settlement of conflicts through dialogue and peaceful negotiation and respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries," he said.
The ambassador said Viet Nam was prepared for its role as UNSC’s Chair. Representatives from member countries affirmed that Viet Nam would be able to make great strides in this role particularly in promoting peace and conflict resolutions.
So far this year, Libya, Panama, Russia, South Africa, the UK and the US have chaired the UNSC. Viet Nam became a UN Security Council non-permanent member on January 1 this year for the 2008-09 term.
Deputy Director of the ministry’s Press and Information Department Nguyen Phuong Nga reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem would lead a Vietnamese delegation to take part in important activities of the UNSC and chair a high-ranking open discussion in accordance to the monthly agenda. Viet Nam would build on UNSC working programmes and agendas. It would judiciously study the different proposals put forward by various countries’ and decide which ones to entertain during the sessions.
However, the country’s role will mainly centre on procedures needed to help countries reach a joint agreement.
Viet Nam will host and manage around 40 closed and public conferences this month. To prepare for these conferences, it will carry out un-official meetings with UNSC member countries and countries related to the issue at hand as well as with organisations and individuals negotiating on matters related to UNSC drafts, declarations and resolutions.
In its capacity as the Chair the country will work with media outlets and report the outcome of UNSC’s conferences to UN member countries.
As the main representative of the UNSC, Viet Nam will also hold regular meetings with the UN Secretary General and other senior leaders of the UN’s Secretariat, the President of the UN’s General Assembly, the President of the UN’s Economic and Social Council, and those countries whose pressing issues need attention.
As Viet Nam takes the role in July, the country will gear up to prepare the UNSC’s yearly report (from July 31, 2007 to July 31, 2008) to send o the UN’s National Assembly and review the council’s activities. — VNS
