Ambassador and Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN Dang Hoang Giang gave an interview to the press regarding the significance of the visit by General Secretary and State President of Vietnam To Lam and his spouse to the UN Future Summit and the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, as well as his state visit to the US from September 22-24.

Ambassador and Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN Dang Hoang Giang

This will be the first time General Secretary and President To Lam is attending the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Could you share your assessment of the significance of this visit?

The 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is taking place in a particularly significant context, as both the UN and Vietnam approach their 80th anniversaries—the UN being the largest multilateral organization in the world, and Vietnam marking the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This moment presents an opportunity to chart a new course for the future development of the UN and the world.

Against this backdrop, the UN will host a series of events during the High-Level Week of the 79th UNGA, with the highlight being the Future Summit (September 22-23) under the theme "Multilateral Solutions for a Better Future." Additionally, the UNGA's General Debate (September 24-28) will center around the theme, "No One Left Behind: Acting Together for Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations." These discussions aim to strengthen international cooperation and reinforce multilateralism, with the UN at its core, to advance shared goals, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Future Summit carries historical significance, featuring an ambitious agenda that spans all areas of UN cooperation and has been in preparation for nearly two years.

This is a pivotal moment for world leaders and heads of state to exchange views and propose solutions to address global challenges, while outlining a strategic vision for the UN. The goal is to set a development trajectory towards a peaceful, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world for humanity. The discussions and decisions made during the High-Level Week will have long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on international relations, global cooperation, and the pursuit of common objectives.

Vietnam's high-level delegation, led by General Secretary and President To Lam, will participate in the Future Summit and the UNGA General Debate, delivering a key message: "Strengthening multilateralism, acting together to create a future of peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainability for all people." The 79th UNGA High-Level Week will bring together a large number of international leaders to discuss and shape the future direction of global development.

General Secretary and President To Lam's participation in this event holds great significance. It marks the first time a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam will attend the UNGA in person and serves as the first multilateral diplomatic engagement of General Secretary and President To Lam at the UN. This underscores, at the highest level, Vietnam's commitment to an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, diversification and multilateralism, and proactive, comprehensive, and effective international integration. It also allows Vietnam to share its vision and solutions on the role of the UN and major global issues while highlighting the Party and State's deep interest in multilateral cooperation, the UN's key agendas, and Vietnam’s comprehensive relationship with the UN.

Vietnam's voice at the United Nations is becoming increasingly influential, and the country is taking a more active role in the work of the world's largest multilateral organization. In your view, what have been Vietnam's most significant contributions to the UN in recent years?

Over the past nearly five decades, the cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations has significantly advanced across various dimensions and levels. The UN has been a trusted partner for Vietnam since the early days of the country's reconstruction after the war and during its subsequent renewal efforts. Vietnam has consistently affirmed its proactive role and positive contributions to UN activities, deeply aligning with the core values of the organization.

From being a recipient of UN aid, Vietnam has transformed into a reliable and effective partner, ranking as the 49th largest contributor to the UN budget. It participates increasingly in all three main pillars of the UN: peace and security, development cooperation, and human rights.

In the realm of peace and security, Vietnam has been a leading advocate for multilateralism and a collective approach to addressing global challenges, reaffirming the crucial role of the UN. It emphasizes adherence to the UN Charter and international law, particularly principles of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of disputes without the threat or use of force.

Vietnam has actively voiced its opposition to oppression, invasion, power politics, and unilateral sanctions in international relations. It has participated in almost all major international treaties concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, diligently fulfilling its obligations and promoting the implementation of these treaties, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANFWZ). Vietnam was the tenth country worldwide to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Since 2014, Vietnam has actively engaged in UN peacekeeping operations, deploying over 800 military and police personnel to remote areas like South Sudan and the Central African Republic, where they have supported local communities and truly acted as "ambassadors of peace," enhancing the image and status of Vietnam’s armed forces internationally. Vietnam has been elected twice as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2008-2009, 2020-2021), making significant contributions during its terms.

On September 18th, officers and personnel of Field Hospital Level 2 No. 6 and Engineering Team No. 3 paid tribute at the Memorial for Fallen Heroes before embarking on their mission with the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan and the Abyei region.

Vietnam has promoted initiatives to uphold the UN Charter, strengthen cooperation between the UN and ASEAN, and integrate ASEAN's role in Security Council activities, highlighting the need to address the aftermath of landmines from past conflicts. Notably, in a spirit of humanitarianism, Vietnam spearheaded the adoption of Resolution 2573, the first Security Council resolution focusing on the protection of essential infrastructure (such as hospitals, schools, and water systems) for civilians in conflict zones, co-sponsored by all 15 Council members and many UN member states.

Vietnam has proactively participated in the UN's collective efforts for international peace and security, consistently advocating for dialogue, de-escalation, and sustainable, comprehensive solutions to conflicts, while emphasizing compliance with international law.

In development cooperation, Vietnam actively contributes to promoting a fair and equitable international economic and trade order, protecting the legitimate interests of developing nations. Despite resource limitations, Vietnam stands out for its achievements in realizing global development goals, earning high recognition from the international community for sharing its experiences.

From 2000 to 2015, Vietnam met most of the Millennium Development Goals, notably achieving the goal of eradicating extreme poverty ahead of schedule and making significant progress in education and access to water and sanitation. Since 2015, Vietnam has worked diligently to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a national action plan that integrates the SDGs into its socioeconomic development policies, making remarkable strides in poverty reduction, universal health coverage, and improving access to quality education under the motto "no one left behind."

Strongly supporting the Secretary-General's calls, Vietnam recently issued its national commitment to prioritize specific areas for SDG transformation, focusing on social welfare, sustainable employment, health system development, cultural and educational advancement, and comprehensive human development, demonstrating Vietnam's strong determination and commitment to achieving these goals.

Despite limited resources and technological development, Vietnam has made every effort to respond to climate change, committing to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and significantly expanding renewable energy sources for electricity production; actively controlling, preventing, and reducing environmental pollution, particularly marine plastic waste. Vietnam is among the core advocates promoting a UN General Assembly resolution requesting advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on countries' responsibilities regarding climate change.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam proposed December 27 as International Day for Disease Prevention and Control to raise awareness and readiness to respond to outbreaks, a proposal welcomed and co-sponsored by many member states.

These enduring efforts have garnered international recognition, resulting in Vietnam being elected to key leadership roles in UN agencies, such as Vice President of the UN General Assembly during its 77th session (2022-2023), member of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) during 2000-2002, and member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) during the 1998-2000 and 2016-2018 terms, as well as President of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) during 2018-2019, and participating in various governance mechanisms of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In the realm of human rights, Vietnam remains committed to the Party and State’s policy of placing people at the "center, goal, subject, and driving force" of national development, ensuring and promoting human rights according to international standards, while actively participating in the fight against the politicization of human rights, advocating a dialogue-based approach that fosters cooperation and mutual understanding, bridging differences and disagreements.

Vietnam places particular emphasis on implementing economic, cultural, social rights, and the right to development, aligning with the common interests of developing countries. It has been an early participant and member of seven of the nine core international human rights treaties, fully meeting its obligations under these treaties and engaging in numerous dialogues with five treaty bodies on human rights; simultaneously welcoming many UN special rapporteurs on human rights to work in Vietnam.

Recently, Vietnam promoted the initiative to designate June 11 as International Play Day (co-sponsored by 138 countries), recognizing the critical role of play in children's physical and psychological development and societal progress. This not only raises awareness of children's rights globally but also aligns with Vietnam's "Month of Action for Children," making child protection efforts more meaningful and practical.

With its international standing and reputation, Vietnam has earned the trust of the global community, being elected as a member of the Human Rights Committee (the predecessor to the Human Rights Council) from 2001 to 2003 and as a member of the Human Rights Council for the terms 2014-2016 and 2023-2025, as well as serving on the Executive Board of UN Women for the 2025-2027 term.

As a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, Vietnam continues to contribute to significant activities and decisions of this body, prioritizing the protection of vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation, and human rights; building and promoting resolutions on ensuring human rights in the context of climate change.

Vietnam's notable practices, particularly in implementing recommendations through four cycles of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism of the Human Rights Council (UPR), have been recognized and appreciated by the UN and many countries in the region.

These efforts not only reflect Vietnam's commitment to protecting and promoting human rights but also enhance the country's international reputation in this field. Vietnam has officially announced its candidacy for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, demonstrating its determination and capability to maintain a leadership role in advancing and protecting human rights globally.

Multilateral diplomacy plays a significant role in Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" approach. How has this strategy contributed to enhancing the country's status and image among the international community, Ambassador?

Nearly 80 years ago, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established at the same time as the United Nations. Recognizing the importance of the UN in the international system and Vietnam's place in the historical flow of the era, shortly after the establishment of the young Democratic Republic, President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the President of the UN General Assembly and many member countries in early 1946, formally requesting Vietnam's membership in the UN.

Despite facing numerous historical challenges, Vietnam officially became a UN member in 1977. The country’s resilient struggle for independence, freedom, and unification significantly contributed to the UN's noble goals of promoting peace, independence, equality among nations, and the right to self-determination. This struggle inspired and motivated the decolonization movement, helping to end colonialism in the 1960s.

Vietnam's story is one of inspiration—a country emerging from war and poverty, now developing dynamically with political and social stability, improving the quality of life for its citizens in all aspects. Once isolated by sanctions, Vietnam has now broadened its relations with most countries worldwide, confidently assuming its role as a member and leader in UN bodies. Looking towards the future, Vietnam is committed to contributing to a peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful world for all.

In recent times, Vietnam has achieved significant accomplishments that enhance its image on the international stage, demonstrating that it is an active, responsible member participating in most UN activities, including peace and security, promoting sustainable development goals, and human rights. Vietnam has proposed numerous initiatives that reflect its readiness to share responsibilities within the UN framework and collaborate with other nations to advance multilateralism, particularly in a complex global environment.

Through multilateral diplomacy, Vietnam has gained the trust of friends and international partners, strengthening bilateral relationships and mobilizing resources for national development.

The recent mission of General Secretary and President To Lam reaffirms Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, as well as the diversification and multilateralization of relationships. This clearly showcases Vietnam as an active, responsible member capable of fulfilling its duties within the UN.

With the solid foundation built over the years, what are your hopes for the future of the relationship between Vietnam and the UN?

The third decade of the 21st century is nearly halfway through, marked by complex and unpredictable developments. Political and security upheavals, economic and social challenges, and environmental issues, along with unilateral actions and power politics among major nations, continue to put multilateralism and the UN under serious strain.

Nevertheless, countries share a common aspiration for peace, stability, cooperation, and development. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and energy crises are intensifying, having wide-ranging and cross-border impacts that threaten sustainable development for all nations. The recent COVID-19 pandemic vividly illustrates the necessity and critical importance of multilateral cooperation and the role of the UN in an increasingly interconnected world, where no single nation can address global challenges alone. Vietnam is on the brink of a new historical phase, a new era of national resurgence following 40 years of reform.

From a nation ravaged by war, Vietnam has risen to become a symbol of peace and stability, with expanding relations and a continuously strengthening presence, ready to take on greater responsibilities for peace, stability, and development in the region and worldwide.

In the coming period, Vietnam will continue to enhance its partnership with the UN to promote multilateralism, uphold international law, and adhere to the UN Charter. It will contribute substantively to maintaining regional and international peace and stability, respond effectively to global challenges, particularly in the context of climate change commitments, and actively implement the National Action Plan for the 2030 Agenda. Vietnam will also intensify its involvement in UN peacekeeping operations and strengthen ties between the UN and regional organizations, emphasizing ASEAN's central role in regional security.

Moreover, Vietnam will continue to advocate for its candidacy in key UN mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for 2026-2035, and the Security Council for 2032-2033, while gradually introducing qualified Vietnamese candidates for leadership positions in UN specialized agencies.

Reflecting on the past 47 years, the Vietnam-UN partnership has yielded significant and meaningful results, meeting Vietnam's needs and interests at various stages while enhancing the country's image and standing. These achievements will facilitate further expansion and improved cooperation, actively supporting Vietnam's development and international integration, as well as contributing to the realization of the UN's shared goals for peace, stability, and sustainable development for humanity—a better future for all.

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