Vietnam elected Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement

At the Conference, Vietnam was elected as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, representing the Asia- Pacific region.

VicePresident Vo Thi Anh Xuan led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, on January 19. (Source: VNA)

Opening of the 19th Non-Aligned Summit

On January 19, 2024, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda. The Summit was attended by more than 100 Heads of State, Senior Leaders and Ministers of member countries, along with many Leaders of observer countries and international and regional organizations.

At this Conference, Vietnam was elected as Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, representing the Asia- Pacific region.

The 19th Non-Aligned Summit witnessed the transfer of the Chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Uganda in the context of complex developments in the world and the region. Climate, humanitarian, economic, financial crises, geopolitical competition and tensions between major powers are threatening the peace, security and development of Non-Aligned member countries.

In his opening speech, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni affirmed that the 19th Summit, themed “Deepening Cooperation for Global Prosperity”, is an opportunity for Non-Aligned member countries to act in unity, overcome differences, strengthen solidarity within the bloc, and reposition and further promote the Movement’s voice in today’s uncertain world.

The Ugandan President also recalled the heroic history of the Movement, the unyielding struggle of the peoples for independence and freedom, non-alignment with any superpower or participation in any political or military bloc or group. To continue to protect the interests and strengthen the voice of the Non-Aligned Movement in addressing global multi-dimensional challenges, member countries need to work together to protect the fundamental values and principles of the Movement, which are peace, independence, development; respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, non-threat or use of force, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means.

Attending the opening session, President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis highlighted the historical role of the Movement in the struggle for national liberation of colonial countries. Mr. Dennis Francis said that the Movement today is also facing many challenges and difficulties in a world full of divisions and fiercest confrontations since the Cold War between major powers. However, the President of the General Assembly affirmed that the Non-Aligned Movement has always been a group of forces with a strong voice, indispensable in supporting efforts to strengthen multilateralism, uphold the United Nations Charter and international law, and enhance cooperation for a more peaceful, stable, equitable and prosperous world, with people at the center of all policies.

The 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement will take place on January 19 and 20, 2024 and it is expected that the High-Level Leaders will discuss and adopt many important documents of the Summit.

Bilateral activities

On the occasion of attending the Conference, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had a number of important meetings with Politburo member, Communist Party of Cuba, Vice President of the Republic of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa; Vice President of the Republic of Benin Mariam Chabi Talata and President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis.

At the meeting with the Vice President of Cuba, in an atmosphere of friendship, the two sides were pleased that the special traditional relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have been continuously strengthened, promoted and developed extensively, for the practical interests of the people of the two countries. The Vice President warmly congratulated Cuba on successfully hosting the G77 and China Summit in Cuba (September 2023) and at COP28 in the UAE (December 2023), contributing to enhancing Cuba's position and image in the international arena, and respectfully conveyed the best regards of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong and other senior leaders to the Cuban leaders.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and people of Vietnam will never forget Cuba's wholehearted and sincere support for Vietnam's struggle for national liberation and renovation, and no matter how the world changes, they will always respect, preserve and further deepen the traditional relationship of solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, standing side by side in supporting the revolutionary cause of the Cuban people. The Vice President reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent stance of strongly supporting Cuba and not supporting the US's unilateral embargo against Cuba.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan emphasized that the two sides need to continue to cooperate closely to strengthen trade, investment and agricultural relations, bringing economic relations to match the good political relations between the two countries, in accordance with the direction and wishes of the leaders of the two Parties and States.

Vice President of the Republic of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa sincerely thanked the valuable support of the Government and people of Vietnam for always being a very trustworthy friend, always supporting and assisting Cuba to overcome difficulties in socio-economic development due to the impact of the siege and embargo. Comrade Salvador Valdés Mesa assessed that the Cuba - Vietnam relationship is a symbol of exemplary solidarity, which was painstakingly cultivated by President Fidel Castro, President Ho Chi Minh and generations of leaders of the two countries through many periods. He expressed his delight that in recent times, the two sides continued to carry out high-level delegation exchanges, including the visit to Vietnam by President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo (September 2023), on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam and the newly liberated area in Quang Tri, Vietnam (1973-2023).

Comrade Salvador Valdés Mesa affirmed that he will direct ministries and sectors to coordinate more closely with Vietnam to promote investment and trade relations between the two countries and agricultural cooperation, ensuring food security. On this occasion, the two sides affirmed that they will continue to coordinate closely at major multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the G77 Group on issues of mutual concern.

The 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement will take place on January 19 and 20, 2024, and it is expected that the High-Level Leaders will discuss and adopt many important documents of the Summit. (Source: VNA)

At the meeting with Benin Vice President Mariam Chabi Talata, the Vice President emphasized that Vietnam always treasures and remembers the sentiments and valuable support and wishes to promote friendship and multifaceted cooperation with African countries, including Benin. The Vice President highly appreciated the results of the recent visit to Vietnam by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock of Benin (December 2023) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973-2023), contributing to creating momentum to strengthen the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Benin in the coming time, practically meeting the interests of the people of the two countries.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan proposed that on the basis of good political relations, the two sides should increase delegation exchanges, review and effectively implement cooperation mechanisms, enhance trade, investment, agricultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. At the same time, with their important geostrategic position, the two sides should strive to act as a bridge for cooperation with ASEAN, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Benin Vice President Mariam Chabi Talata affirmed her good feelings and deep impressions of the country and people of Vietnam, considering Vietnam a model of innovation and sustainable development, emphasizing that the leaders and people of Benin wish to strengthen relations with Vietnam, Benin's priority partner in the Southeast Asia region. Ms. Mariam Chabi Talata said that the Vietnam-Benin relationship has recently seen positive developments in a number of important areas, but the two sides still have much room to strengthen cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, investment, agricultural machinery and equipment, and vocational training. At the same time, the two sides discussed a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue.

At a meeting with President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to multilateralism and supports the central role of the United Nations in the global governance system and in responding to common challenges. Vietnam attaches great importance to the role of the United Nations General Assembly and, in the spirit of being an active and responsible member of the international community, will actively contribute to the major priorities of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, including strengthening peace through promoting international cooperation and solidarity, reforming the United Nations, realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring human security.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the General Assembly needs to promote its role in promoting dialogue and cooperation, building trust, and upholding compliance with the United Nations Charter and international law to peacefully resolve disputes and conflicts in the world.

The Vice President emphasized that responding to climate change, digital transformation, and green growth are important priorities for Vietnam to realize the goal of becoming a developed industrial country by 2045. On that basis, the Vice President asked countries and the United Nations to actively support Vietnam in fulfilling this strategic goal.

On this occasion, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan respectfully invited Mr. Dennis Francis to visit Vietnam in the near future. The Vice President also expressed her belief that the relationship between Vietnam and Trinidad and Tobago will continue to develop even more strongly after the two countries officially establish diplomatic relations (February 2023).

President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis expressed his good feelings and wish to visit Vietnam soon, highly agreeing with the comments and proposals of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and saying that in the current context of many conflicts and crises in the world, multilateralism is the most effective way to solve global problems. The President of the General Assembly highly appreciated the results of Vietnam-United Nations cooperation over the past 45 years and affirmed that from its historical experiences and important international role and position, Vietnam is fully capable of contributing a substantive and pioneering voice to participate in handling the common concerns of the international community.

The President of the General Assembly shared the common viewpoint of Vietnam and ASEAN on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and affirmed that he will continue to actively cooperate with Vietnam to promote compliance with the United Nations Charter, international law and multilateralism.

According to Baoquocte.vn

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