As from January 1, 2008, Vietnam has taken a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2008-2009 term. During the first month of the two-year term, Vietnam attended 27 UNSC meetings, including 16 official meetings and 11 unofficial ones. They focused on issues related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Myanmar, Nepal, the Republic of Chad, Sudan, Cote d’lvoire, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Kosovo and Georgia. They all helped set out provisional rules of procedures and discussed weapons of mass destruction and non-State entities.
In addition to issues related to Myanmar which were unofficially discussed on January 17, other issues will be resolved later, including the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), security sector reform (SSR), conflict resolution and prevention, especially in Africa, Afghanistan, Somali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also discussed were measures to ensure the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Among the six key UNSC issues in 2008 (DPRK, Myanmar, Kosovo, Middle East- Israel/Palestine, Sudan/Darfur, Iran), five issues had now already been covered.
Also in January, the UN Security Council approved resolution 1795 (January 15) with the majority of votes in favour, which extends the mandate of the United Nations Operations in the Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and resolution 1796 (January 31) which extends the mandate for the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) until July, 2008.
The Council also issued the press releases on the situation in Kosovo, Côte d'Ivoire, the Republic of Chad (Central Africa) and Myanmar. In addition, the Council selected the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for its relevant agencies in which Vietnam was elected Chairman of Sierra Leone Committee. Vice Chairman of the Committees concerning Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairman of the Anti-terrorism Committee.
Vietnam has stressed the significance of developing economies, stabilising people’s lives and maintaining sustainable peace in the countries concerned.
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Vietnam has said that Myanmar is not a threat to regional and international peace and security and supported the cooperative and constructive role of the UN. Based on the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which supports a peaceful settlement of the Myanmar issues, Vietnam stressed that any final decisions must be made by the Myanmar people themselves.
Add new comment