On his second visit to Vietnam, the UN Secretary-General expressed special feelings.

President Luong Cuong affirmed that the Secretary-General's visit was of paramount importance, reflecting the parallel development journey between Vietnam and the United Nations.

The President expressed his pleasure at the increasingly developing cooperative relationship between Vietnam and the United Nations over nearly five decades.

Vietnam has strived to achieve independence, national reunification, and strong development. From a poor country heavily devastated by war, Vietnam has risen to become one of the 32 largest economies and one of the top 20 trading nations in the world; it has diplomatic relations with 194 countries and is an active member of more than 70 international organizations.

The President affirmed Vietnam's determination and efforts to achieve the goal of becoming a modern, middle-income developing country by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045.

President Luong Cuong and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his delight and special affection for Vietnam during his second visit.

He expressed particular admiration for Vietnam's struggle for independence and national reunification, as well as its remarkable development and its goal of achieving double-digit growth in the coming years.

The Secretary-General highly appreciated Vietnam's role, position, prestige, and outstanding positive contributions to the common work of the United Nations in all pillar areas, notably its hosting of the opening ceremony for the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi and its active participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

The United Nations will continue to stand alongside, care for, and support Vietnam's development priorities.

Secretary-General Guterres expects Vietnam to further enhance its role, position, and voice at the United Nations, playing a pioneering role in shaping a multipolar world.

The President affirmed that Vietnam will continue to make positive and responsible contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

President Luong Cuong proposed five key areas of focus for cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations in the coming period.

Firstly, the United Nations needs to be reformed to enhance its effectiveness, efficiency, and optimize resources. In this process, Vietnam is ready to welcome the UN if it wishes to establish offices or organizations in Vietnam.

Secondly, strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations needs to be focused and prioritized, concentrating on key areas such as science, technology, innovation, development of high-quality human resources, response to climate change and natural disasters, non-traditional security challenges, and just energy transition.

Thirdly, Vietnam is ready to participate and contribute more to peacekeeping activities.

Fourth, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime and cybercrime for a safe and healthy online environment, and for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Fifth, it is necessary to further strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations.

Discussing international and regional issues, both sides agreed on the need to further strengthen multilateralism with the United Nations playing a central role, upholding adherence to international law, and fostering solidarity and cooperation in the context of unpredictable changes in the global and regional security and political situation.

ASEAN plays a strategic role for the United Nations. Secretary-General Guterres agreed to further promote ASEAN-UN cooperation and support ASEAN's central role in the regional security and development architecture, as well as the bloc's efforts in maintaining peace, stability and resolving regional issues.