Vietnam chairs plenary of Conference on Disarmament
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva, on June 25 chaired a plenary session of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) – AmbassadorDuong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's permanent mission tothe United Nations in Geneva, on June 25 chaired a plenarysession of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) at the UNheadquarters in Geneva, the first plenary of the CD during Vietnam’s term as CDPresident (from June 24-28 and from July 29 to August 18).
In opening the session, Ambassador Dung stressed theimportance of cooperation in the framework of multi-lateral frameworks toaddress increasingly complicated common challenges to international peace andsecurity.
He recalled Vietnam’s contributions when it served asPresident of the CD for the first time in 2009, and underlined the country’scommitment to making continued contributions to peace and security,particularly when it was just elected to a non-permanent seat in the UnitedNations Security Council for 2020-2021 and will take up the rotary Chair of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations in 2020.
The Ambassador shared Vietnam’s priorities and tasksas CD President, especially holding simultaneous consultations with membercountries, CD Presidents in 2019, coordinators and the secretariats, to gainunderstanding of all sides’ concerns and thus seek solutions to existingobstacles.
Under Vietnam’s initiative, forthe first time in CD’s history ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi was invitedto attend and speak at the plenary.
The Secretary General reiteratedASEAN’s commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, andintroduced the main contents of the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-FreeZone Treaty (SEANWFZ). He called on countries with nuclear weapons to join the SEANWFZ for the effective implementation of the treaty.
During discussions, countriesaffirmed their support of Vietnam’s initiatives and efforts in the CDframework. They appreciated the role and contributions of regionalorganisations, including the ASEAN, in the field of disarmament in particularand in maintaining international peace and security in general.
On behalf of the EU, Romaniavoice support of ASEAN’s central role in maintaining peace and security in theregion, preventing conflicts and actively seeking a solution to the Koreaissue.
In 2019, Vietnam along withUkraine, the UK, the US, Venezuela and Zimbabwe serve as President of the CD ona rotary basis.-VNA
Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament is essential to the world’s peace and security, and the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only guarantee for countries not to be threatened with or attacked by nuclear weapons.
Vietnam has always been consistent with its anti-nuclear weapons policy and was one of the first countries to support, sign and ratify the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), President Tran Dai Quang wrote in his greeting message on July 31 to the 63rd World Conference against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs.
An international workshop was held in Hanoi on April 2 under the theme “Vietnam in the UN Security Council: Strengthening partnership for sustainable peace”.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva (Photo: VNA) 
