He said that the Vietnamese delegation’s participation in the 62^nd session of the UN General Assembly from September 24-28 had been successful, opening up new prospects for cooperative relations between Vietnam, the UN and the international community and creating a prerequisite for Vietnam to participate in tackling global issues.

He said the high-level general debate took place at a time when the world is confronted with both new and traditional challenges, including many regional conflicts, a high risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, poverty, epidemics, environmental pollution and climate change. These are global issues which cannot be solved unilaterally.

As a UN member for the past 30 years, Vietnam has worked hard for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world. Therefore, the general debate had provided a good chance for Vietnam to make use of the substantial support from other UN member countries and strengthen future cooperation with them for national development.

During the general debate, Mr Dung said that head delegates had called for a joint effort to deal with pressing and challenging global issues, with priority to be given to easing tensions and solving regional conflicts, coping with climate change, implementing UN Millennium Development Goals and reforming the UN.

In his speech, delivered at the general debate, Mr Dung said he had taken an overview of the international situation and highlighted the UN’s role in maintaining peace and security, realising member countries’ aspirations, as well as the UN’s priority areas and future direction. He particularly highlighted Vietnam’s contributions to the biggest global governing body and affirmed that Vietnam is fully able to fulfil its obligations as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council if it is elected. 

He said that since Vietnam decided to stand for the post in 1997, it has demonstrated its desire and capacity during high-level meetings and contacts with other UN member countries. In 2002, ASEAN countries agreed to fully support Vietnam’s bid. In October 2006, the group of Asian countries to the UN released a decision nominating Vietnam as the only Asian candidate for the seat. Since then, Vietnam has shown its strong commitment to maintaining international peace and security, as well as its contributions in Southeast Asia and other regions through UN activities.

Though the voting will take place on October 16, Mr Dung said that Vietnam has received strong support from UN member countries through his bilateral talks with other heads of State and government during the UN session.

“I believe that if we are elected to the post, we will fulfil our duties and live up to the expectations of the international community,” said Mr Dung.

He recalled his talks and meetings with the UN Secretary General, leaders of members and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, and leaders of countries holding important positions in other regions. He said leaders had expressed their admiration for Vietnam’s heroic struggle for national independence in the past and the tremendous achievements in national construction and development at present. They all expressed their wishes to maintain and develop relations with Vietnam and voiced support for Vietnam’s bid as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

“We have sent a clear message from Vietnam that we are an active, constructive, cooperative and responsible member of the international community,” said Mr Dung.

The PM said he had also worked with the US-ASEAN Business Council and the High-level US-Vietnam Advisory Council to increase the competitive capacity of Vietnam and leading US groups.