Hanoi (VNA) – State President Nguyen XuanPhuc on April 19 chaired the High-level Open Debate of the United Nations SecurityCouncil on "Cooperation between the UN and regional organizations inenhancing confidence-building and dialogue in conflict prevention andresolution".

The following is the full text of his statement at the event.

"Ladiesand gentlemen,

Trust,confidence and dialogue lay the solid foundation forinternational relations. Rising from the ashes and sorrows of World War II,  the UN has become the very symbol of our deep conviction and mutual trust in multilateralismand multi- tiered international cooperation.

Guided by such faith, many regional organizations were established and havesince thrived. Our briefers today, representing organizations from variousregions, will give us an overall picture of their active contributions toconflict prevention and resolution, and facilitation of dialogue, peace andreconciliation processes.

As an active ASEAN member, having just fulfilled its role as the 2020 ASEANChair, Vietnam takes great pride in ASEAN’s  success in building a region of peace,cooperation, trust and dialogue, and a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community,striving toward an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regionalarchitecture.

ASEAN has established a partnership with the UN and created several mechanismsand forums for political and security dialogues with other countries, includingthe five Permanent Members of the Security Council. In January 2020, Vietnamchaired the Council’s open debate on Cooperation between the UN and ASEAN inmaintaining international peace and security.

Setting confidence-building and dialogue as priorities, ASEAN has been workingwith China to negotiate the establishment of the Code of Conduct in the SouthChina Sea (COC), with a view to maintaining peace, stability, maritime securityand safety in the South China Sea.

ASEAN is also playing a central role in seeking adequate solution to help stabilizethe situation in Myanmar through dialogue and reconciliation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

While peace, cooperation and development continue as the prevailing trend and ferventaspirations of all countries and peoples, the world that we live in today isriddled with challenges. In the past five years, conflicts have taken away halfa million lives across the globe. In 2020 alone, the world recorded 20 millionrefugees, over 50 million people displaced due to conflicts, and around 170 millionin need of humanitarian assistance. These are the people who are left behind,and call upon our Council to take action.

Against major challenges, such as COVID-19, natural disasters, severe climatechange, border and territorial disputes and conflicts, frictions, andgeo-strategic competition, increased international unity is more crucial thanever.


Yet, the paradox at present lies in our waning trust in one another and inmultilateral institutions. The strengthening of unity is of great necessity,starting with the cooperation between the UN and the UNSC with regionalorganizations in our joint efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts through dialogueand confidence-building.

In this important debate, I would like to underscore three proposals:

First, the interactions andcomplementarities between the UN and regional organizations are inherent. They offer a “two-way linkage” to shareknowledge and coordinate joint endeavours. The UN should take the lead inincreasing cooperation activities and exchanges of experience and best practices in confidence-building and dialogue to   prevent conflicts. On the other hand, regional organizations, withtheir unique strengths in practical experience, resources and diverse demands, should bolster cooperation with the UN, engage in dialoguesand share experience at various forums to enhance capacityin preventing and resolving conflicts.

Second, we should further promote the role of multilateralism and uphold the UN Charterand international law, for this is the most concrete and solid foundation to build trust and promote dialogues.

Moreover, to early conflict prevention requires inclusive and comprehensive solutions to address theroot causes of conflicts, such as poverty, hunger, inequality and violence. Theinternational community should strive to fulfill the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development, and other global security and developmentstrategies and initiatives led by the UN, paying greater attention and giving adequate assistance to developing countries who face serious resources’constraints.

On theirpart, regional organizations need to havecomprehensive agendas, and integrate the UN’s development frameworks andinitiatives into their national and regional development plans. They shouldalso strive to narrow political, economic and cultural gaps amongst themselves. In South East Asia, ASEANis making every effort to fulfill the goal of building an ASEAN Communityunited in politics, diverse in culture, connected in economy, and withincreased cooperation with external partners. As an active ASEAN member, Vietnamhas effectively placed COVID-19 under control, enjoyed a high economic growthrate, and actively engaged in international integration.

Third, we need to continueenhancing cooperation between the UNSC and regional organizations through dialogue and co-operation frameworks,and early warning mechanisms for volatilities.

The UNSC needs to continue acknowledging and respecting theperspectives, role and contributions of regional organizations. We also need tomainstream conflict prevention and resolution strategies viadialogue and confidence-building in UN Missions, and createfavorable conditions for regional organizations to uphold their central role.

In response, regional organizations should further strengthen their proactive and leading role in preventing andresolving conflicts in accordance with international law andthe UN Charter. This can only be achieved when each and every member state   has strategic trust in each other andshare a common political resolve.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Vietnam is honoured to assume the Presidency of the Security Council for the second time. With theaspiration to become a peaceful and prosperous nation, a reliable partner, anda responsible member of the international community, Vietnam remains steadfastin our foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, diversification and multilateralizationof relations, promoting international integration and actively contributing tothe efforts of the UN and the UNSC.
 
Faithful toour motto - “Partnership for sustainablepeace”, Vietnam will spare no effort tostrengthen the cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, includingASEAN, and elevate such ties, for peace, security and development around theworld.

Thank you"./.