President Luong Cuong holds talks with the United Nations Secretary-General

On the afternoon of October 24, after the official welcoming ceremony solemnly held at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong held talks with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

President Luong Cuong holds talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Warmly welcoming Secretary-General António Guterres to his second official visit to Vietnam and attending the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and Vietnam's 80th National Day, President Luong Cuong affirmed that this visit has a very special significance, reflecting the parallel development journey between Vietnam and the United Nations.

Expressing his delight at the increasingly developing cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the United Nations over nearly five decades, the President thanked the United Nations for its valuable support over the past five decades as well as Secretary-General Guterres' personal support and affection for Vietnam.

The President emphasized that Vietnam has strived to fight for independence, unify the country and develop strongly, from a poor country heavily devastated by war, it has risen to be among the 32 largest economies and the top 20 trading countries in the world; has diplomatic relations with 194 countries, and is an active member of more than 70 international organizations.

President Luong Cuong speaks at talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The President affirmed Vietnam's determination and efforts to achieve the goal of becoming a developing, modern industrialized, upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045, through implementing three strategic breakthroughs in perfecting institutions, developing high-quality human resources, and building modern, synchronous infrastructure.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his joy and special affection for Vietnam during his second official visit; thanked President Luong Cuong, the State and people of Vietnam for the solemn, warm, and friendly welcome given to the Secretary-General and the high-level United Nations delegation.

Expressing special admiration for Vietnam's struggle for independence and national reunification, as well as its development achievements and its goal of achieving double-digit growth in the coming years, Mr. Guterres highly appreciated Vietnam's role, position, prestige and positive and outstanding contributions in recent times to the common work of the United Nations in all pillar areas, notably hosting the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi and actively participating in United Nations peacekeeping activities.

Secretary-General Guterres affirmed that the United Nations will continue to accompany, care for, and support Vietnam's development priorities; expressed his hope that Vietnam will further promote its role, position, and voice at the United Nations, playing a pioneering role in shaping a multipolar world, in which multilateralism and global governance mechanisms operate more effectively, and the worthy role of developing countries and emerging economies is more highly valued.

Affirming that Vietnam will continue to make active and responsible contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, President Luong Cuong proposed five key areas of cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations in the coming time.

Firstly, it is necessary to reform the United Nations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and optimize resources. During this process, Vietnam is ready to accept if the United Nations wants to set up headquarters of agencies and organizations in Vietnam.

Second, Vietnam-United Nations strategic cooperation needs to be focused on key areas, focusing on priority areas such as science, technology, innovation, high-quality human resource development, response to climate change, natural disasters, non-traditional security challenges, and equitable energy transition.

Third, Vietnam is ready to contribute more to peacekeeping activities. Fourth, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crimes and cybercrime for a safe and healthy cyber environment, for peace, stability and sustainable development. Fifth, it is necessary to further promote ASEAN-United Nations cooperation.

Discussing international and regional issues, the two sides agreed on the need to continue strengthening multilateralism with the United Nations playing a central role, promoting compliance with international law, solidarity and cooperation in the context of unpredictable changes in the world and regional security and political situation.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at talks with President Luong Cuong. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Affirming ASEAN's strategic role for the United Nations, Secretary-General Guterres agreed to further promote ASEAN-UN cooperation and support ASEAN's central role in the security and development structure in the region, as well as the bloc's efforts in maintaining peace, stability and resolving regional issues; maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the end of the talks, President Luong Cuong and UN Secretary-General António Guterres highly appreciated the results of the exchange, demonstrating friendship, trust and mutual understanding, contributing to deepening the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-hoi-dam-tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-10392817.html