Vietnam calls for strengthening multilateralism and peacefully resolving disputes.

Vietnam reaffirms its steadfast stance in support of multilateralism and collective action, and calls on all countries to fully comply with international law and the United Nations Charter.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet speaks at a discussion session of the United Nations Security Council. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

From July 22-24, the United Nations Security Council held a high-level open debate on the theme “Promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes,” chaired by Pakistan, the Security Council President for July 2025.

According to the VNA correspondent in New York, in his opening remarks at the discussion, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared concerns that the deep political divisions, widespread conflicts in many regions, and recent violations of international law are eroding trust and weakening the rules-based international order.

Citing the cases of Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti..., where conflicts escalated leading to humanitarian crises, exacerbating insecurity and extreme poverty, the Secretary-General called on countries to fully comply with legal obligations and maximize the power of diplomacy to end or prevent conflicts from escalating.

To restore confidence in multilateralism, Secretary-General Guterres urged member states to strive to listen to each other, overcome differences, and build consensus. The United Nations Security Council – a cornerstone institution in ensuring international peace and security – needs reform to strengthen its role and capacity to act effectively and promptly address the challenges posed by current geopolitical realities.

Responding to the message of the UN Secretary-General, the majority of member states, representatives of regional groups and international organizations participating in the discussion affirmed their strong support for multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations, emphasizing that international law and the UN Charter continue to be the core foundation for maintaining global peace and security.

Many countries have expressed deep concern about the increasing trend of unilateral actions, imposition, use or threat of force, which increases the risk of conflict.

Countries called for strengthening the role of the Security Council in conflict prevention and promoting peaceful solutions, encouraging the use of preventive diplomacy, mediation, conciliation, and international judicial mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to ensure the objective, fair, and sustainable resolution of disputes.

Speaking at the discussion session, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, stated that the root cause of many current challenges stems from a lack of respect for international law, particularly the core principle of peaceful settlement of disputes.

Vietnam reaffirms its firm stance in support of multilateralism and collective action led by the United Nations, and calls on all countries, regardless of size, to fully comply with international law and the UN Charter.

Referring to disputes in the East Sea, the Ambassador emphasized Vietnam's consistent stance of resolving all disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), rejecting the use or threat of force, and calling on all relevant parties to respect diplomatic and legal processes, exercise restraint, and avoid actions that complicate the situation in this maritime region.

To strengthen multilateralism and the international rules-based order, Ambassador Do Hung Viet recommended that countries persevere in sincere, open, and genuine dialogue through all channels; exercise restraint and avoid unilateral actions or the use of force when there is still an opportunity for peaceful resolution; and, when disputes arise, the parties should fully utilize the mechanisms stipulated in the United Nations Charter, including the use of international judicial bodies, to achieve fair and lasting solutions, thereby consolidating lasting peace and friendship among nations and peoples.

During the discussion, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2788, drafted under the leadership of Pakistan, aimed at strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The resolution calls on states to make effective use of all mechanisms and procedures in accordance with the United Nations Charter, including negotiation, investigation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, the use of courts, regional institutions and agreements, or any other peaceful means of which a state chooses.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-keu-goi-cung-co-chu-nghia-da-phuonggiai-quyet-hoa-binh-cac-tranh-chap-post1051443.vnp