Geneva (VNA) - Vietnam wishes to diversify its partners, consolidate a peaceful and stable international environment conducive to its development, and contribute to peace and development in the world, said Ambassador Mai Phan Dung.

The Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva made the remark in a recent interview granted to the Geneva Geostrategic Observatory. The interview was also published on Tribune de Genève, a Swiss newspaper.

He noted that multilateralism and international integration are at the heart of Vietnam's diplomacy. The country always attaches great importance to the multilateral mechanisms and forums of the UN and WTO, among others, and is proactively participating in multilateral negotiations in Geneva, including as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023 - 2025 term.

Vietnam wishes to diversify its partners and strengthen a peaceful and stable international environment conducive to its development. This will not only help to better defend its national interests but also to take advantage of external resources for its sustainable development. It also allows the country to contribute to international efforts to solve many of the problems that countries are currently facing and also to promote peace and development in the world, he went on.

Dung said the multilateral system established after the Second World War has played a crucial role in the prevention of wars, the promotion of peace, and the international cooperation for the development of nations. However, today's global situation has changed significantly, creating new demands on the global multilateral system.

Humanity has to face new challenges such as terrorism, poverty, food insecurity, epidemics, natural disasters, and climate change. The rise of many emerging countries has changed the balance of power. In addition, scientific and technological development has changed the way of thinking. Factors such as lack of trust, protectionist tendencies, heightened nationalism, and realpolitik also undermine the multilateral system.

In this context, a reform of the multilateral system is not only necessary but also urgent. This reform must be based on respect for the independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of all nations. It must promote democratic and equitable participation of nations in decision-making processes, he underlined.

A comprehensive review of the multilateral system, encompassing the areas of security, economy, development and finance, is essential to address global challenges and strengthen the common interests of all nations, the ambassador opined.

🐲 At the same time, he added, it is crucial to modernise and optimise international organisations, improving their operational efficiency, streamlining budgets, and reducing administrative costs. In doing so, the multilateral system will be able to be revived, better respond to the challenges of the contemporary world, and promote global cooperation for the benefit of all./.