President Luong Cuong presided over the official welcoming ceremony for the United Nations Secretary-General.

President Luong Cuong and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres review the honor guard at the Presidential Palace - Photo: NGUYEN KHÁNH

On October 24 at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong chaired the official welcoming ceremony for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on an official visit to Vietnam and attended the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

Solemn welcome ceremony

According to VNA, attending the welcoming ceremony were Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Minister of National Defense Le Huy Vinh, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations Do Hung Viet, and Deputy Head of the Office of the President Nguyen Hoang Anh.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Security Dang Hong Duc, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs Don Tuan Phong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Finance Cao Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long and Assistant to the President Duong Quoc Hung.

The motorcade escorting Secretary-General António Guterres entered the Presidential Palace. President Luong Cuong was present at the red carpet to warmly welcome Secretary-General António Guterres.

The honor guard and children of the capital stood along the red carpet to welcome the UN leader. A representative of the children presented the UN leader with a bouquet of flowers.

To the sound of welcome music, President Luong Cuong and Secretary-General António Guterres walked down the red carpet, greeted by the official members accompanying the two leaders. After the welcoming ceremony, the two sides held talks.

Mr. António Guterres has special affection for Vietnam, having taken to the streets to protest the war of aggression against Vietnam. The Secretary-General's last official visit to Vietnam was in October 2022, after being re-elected for a second term (2021-2026) - Photo: NGUYEN KHÁNH

Vietnamese children waving Vietnamese and United Nations flags - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Vietnam promotes multilateralism

Mr. Guterres has been the Secretary-General of the United Nations since 2017. This is his second visit to Vietnam as head of the multilateral organization. His most recent visit took place in October 2022, after he was re-elected for a second term.

His visit is even more meaningful as it begins on October 24 - the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and also takes place on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

These are events of profound symbolic significance, reflecting the parallel development journey of the two sides.

President Luong Cuong and the UN Secretary General shake hands before the talks - Photo: HAI NGUYEN

Vietnam officially joined the United Nations on September 20, 1977, and has made many marks as an active and responsible member, contributing effectively to the activities of the United Nations.

Vietnam has been elected to many important positions and agencies and left many marks at the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Economic and Social Council.

The visit to Vietnam by the UN Secretary General this time shows the organization's respect for Vietnam, and affirms the important position of the United Nations in foreign policy, demonstrating Vietnam's respect and support for multilateralism and multilateral cooperation.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-chu-tri-le-don-chinh-thuc-tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-20251024173539032.htm