President Luong Cuong hosted a solemn reception for the United Nations Secretary-General.

President Luong Cuong hosted a solemn reception for the United Nations Secretary-General. (Photo: Thuy Nguyen)

Warmly welcoming Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Luong Cuong recalled the historical milestone 80 years ago, October 24, 1945, when the United Nations Charter was signed, marking the birth of the United Nations - the largest global multilateral organization, with the noble mission of maintaining international peace and security, promoting cooperation between nations and protecting basic human rights.

The President emphasized that at that historic moment, on September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly announcing to the nation, compatriots and the whole world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, opening a new era - the era of independence, freedom and happiness for the Vietnamese people. The two events, although originating from different contexts, shared the same immortal aspiration, which was peace, independence, freedom and happiness for human beings.

The President spoke at the reception.

The President assessed that over the past 80 years, the United Nations has grown steadily, becoming a common home for 193 member countries, together solving global challenges; and for nearly 50 years in that "common home", Vietnam has been an active, proactive, and responsible member, always accompanying the United Nations.

The President affirmed that Vietnam always remembers and appreciates the valuable support that the United Nations has given Vietnam to heal the wounds of war, build and develop the country. From the United Nations, Vietnam has reached out to the world, to cooperate in development and integration, contributing to common efforts for peace, development and progress. And also from the United Nations, the world has come to Vietnam, bringing knowledge, experience, resources and solidarity, helping Vietnam overcome difficulties and rise up strongly.

On this occasion, on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, the President once again deeply thanked the United Nations and the Secretary-General for their support and companionship with Vietnam over the past years; and believed that, although there are many difficulties ahead, the United Nations will continue to be the flag of peace and international cooperation, inspiring countries to unite, overcome all challenges to continue moving forward.

The United Nations Secretary-General speaks. (Photo: Thuy Nguyen)

In his response, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared that in his early years of political activities, he participated in the anti-fascist movement and the struggle for freedom of colonial peoples in Africa. From those experiences, he always felt the similarity between those struggles and the resilient and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people on the path to independence and national reunification.

On the occasion of the United Nations' 80th anniversary, Secretary-General Guterres recalled the story of the first ballot cast in the Security Council ballot box in 1946, left by the box's maker with a wish for world peace.

According to him, it is a reminder that the United Nations exists to serve people around the world and that is also the core meaning of the multilateral organization - that is "for people". At the same time, Secretary-General Guterres assessed that although the United Nations has not been able to prevent all conflicts, hundreds of thousands of staff and peacekeeping forces of this multilateral organization are still working day and night in difficult circumstances to provide humanitarian relief and protect the lives of people around the world.

Delegates attending the reception. (Photo: Thuy Nguyen)

Appreciating the role of Vietnam not only as a country with many contributions to peacekeeping activities, but also as a model of a nation that has overcome war, becoming one of the successful development stories in the world, Mr. Guterres especially emphasized Vietnam's contributions to the United Nations' peacekeeping activities, and considered Vietnam a living proof of the path of peace, development and a "pillar of multilateralism".

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Source: https://nhandan.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-chu-tri-chieu-dai-trong-the-tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-post917845.html