President Luong Cuong attends the 80th UN General Assembly: Honoring the value of peace, similar aspirations, and solidarity in action

On the occasion of President Luong Cuong and his wife attending the High-Level General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), combined with bilateral activities in the United States (September 21-24), Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, Ambassador Do Hung Viet shared with TG&VN about the significance of the Session as well as the participation of senior Vietnamese leaders.

President Luong Cuong and his wife will attend the High-level General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), combined with bilateral activities in the United States (September 21-24). (Source: VNA)

The main spirit of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in general and the High-Level Week in particular is: “Together towards a better future: 80 years and beyond for peace , development and human rights” which can be said to summarize the three “missions” of the United Nations throughout the past, present and future. Could you please share your opinion on the importance and main highlights of this session?

The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) takes place in the context of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

Over the past eight decades, the United Nations has been a driving force behind multilateral cooperation, and has made important contributions to peace, security, sustainable development and the protection of human rights globally.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations)

From the first ceasefire monitoring effort in the Middle East to dozens of peacekeeping missions across continents; from Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) to efforts to address the consequences of landmines; from the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea to the Convention on Cybercrime; from the first Resolution on the Decade to Eradicate Poverty to the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the international treaty system for the protection and promotion of human rights - the United Nations has been realizing its mission.

Therefore, the theme "Together towards a better future: 80 years and beyond for peace, development and human rights" not only summarizes the three pillars that have been the cornerstone of the United Nations' mission since its founding, but also calls on the international community to continue to stand together and act for a common goal.

During the 80th Session of the High-Level Week, together with the High-Level General Debate, the United Nations organizes a series of high-level events, with the highlight being the 80th Anniversary Session, to review achievements and shape the vision for a more comprehensive and effective multilateral system.

High-level thematic events such as the Climate Summit, the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Summit on Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy , the Session on Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and Promotion of Mental Health, and the Kick-off Session of the Global Dialogue on Governance of Artificial Intelligence – will be an opportunity for leaders to share assessments and discuss solutions to issues of common concern to the international community today.

Taking place in the context of the world and the United Nations witnessing many profound changes and unprecedented challenges, the theme of the 80th UN General Assembly as well as the content of the conferences are extremely appropriate and timely.

This is an opportunity to gather a large number of national and international leaders to discuss and propose solutions to respond to global challenges, set out a strategic vision for the United Nations and move towards a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable world.

The 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly takes place in the context of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. (Source: un.org)

The meeting took place on the occasion of the world's largest multilateral organization celebrating its 80th anniversary. Could you please tell us about the significance of the Vietnamese high-ranking leaders attending the UN General Assembly High-Level Week as well as the message that Vietnam wants to convey on this occasion?

The High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly takes place at a very special time. The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and also the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – two entities born from the aspirations of peace, national independence and human progress.

Right from the early days of the nation's founding, President Ho Chi Minh expressed Vietnam's wish to join the United Nations. However, our nation had to go through two resistance wars lasting three decades to protect the country's independence and unity, before this wish became a reality in 1977.

Since then, Vietnam and the United Nations have been two close partners, with similar aspirations, accompanying each other in action on the journey of development. The United Nations has accompanied Vietnam from the early days after the war, providing humanitarian assistance and efforts to rebuild the country, to the period of renovation, supporting the process of building institutions, laws, and international integration in many fields.

It can be said that the United Nations has had a widespread presence throughout the process of reconstruction, innovation and national development of Vietnam.

Therefore, the participation of President Luong Cuong in the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly by the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation is extremely meaningful, affirming Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism and the core values ​​of the United Nations.

The participation of the President and the Delegation not only demonstrates the Party and State's deep concern for multilateral cooperation and major United Nations agendas, but also affirms Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactiveness, and active, comprehensive, deep, and effective international integration.

At the UN General Assembly, President Luong Cuong is expected to emphasize the central message of “Honoring the value of peace, making strong changes to create a sustainable future”. This is a sincere but powerful message from a nation that has experienced the pain and loss of war, and the hardships of blockade and embargo, thus deeply understanding the precious value of peace and international cooperation.

The UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on preparations for the High-Level Conference on Epidemic Prevention and Control, co-chaired by Vietnam and Chile, on September 5. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN)

Peace is the solid foundation for all social progress and development, and ensures a better, more sustainable future for all people.

This is also a message affirming Vietnam's strong determination in realizing strategic goals to become a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030, and a developed country with high income by 2045; at the same time, making every effort and accompanying all countries to shoulder common responsibilities, overcome challenges, promote strong transformation to create a world of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development, bringing happiness and prosperity to all people.

In the new era of the country and the new mindset of Vietnamese diplomacy, along with 80 years of construction and development, what are your expectations for Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy in general and Vietnam's contribution to the United Nations mission in the coming time?

It can be said that we have an extremely solid foundation to confidently enter a new era of national development. That foundation is forged from the nation's heroic history, the country's strong development achievements and is increasingly consolidated by an open foreign policy situation, a comprehensive international integration process, and the wise guidance and leadership of the Party and State.

Over the past time, we have reaped many great achievements, beautifying Vietnam's image in the eyes of international friends, clearly demonstrating that Vietnam is an active, responsible member and proactively participates in the common activities of the United Nations.

Vietnam also put forward many initiatives, clearly demonstrating its readiness to shoulder the common tasks of the United Nations to work with other countries to promote multilateralism and join hands in a complex international environment.

This is a solid foundation for Vietnam to continue to participate deeply and contribute more to the United Nations, focusing on promoting multilateralism, respecting international law and the United Nations Charter; making substantial contributions to maintaining regional and international peace and stability; responding promptly and effectively to global challenges, especially commitments to action on climate change; continuing to actively implement the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda and promoting participation in United Nations peacekeeping activities.

Female soldiers participating in the United Nations Peacekeeping mission during the rehearsal of the National Day Celebration on September 2.

In addition, Vietnam will also continue to run for and hold important positions in the United Nations, such as preparing to assume the role of President of the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2026, running for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term and the position of Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026-2036 term.

Notably, this coming October, Vietnam will host the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi - the first time a United Nations Convention will be named the Hanoi Convention.

Vietnam will also accompany, support and contribute to the efforts to reform the United Nations, towards a more streamlined, cohesive and effective United Nations, based on the experience of successfully implementing the "Delivering as One" initiative of United Nations organizations in Vietnam.

Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 of the Politburo on international integration in the new form has affirmed the role of international integration in the cause of national construction and defense. In particular, multilateral diplomacy in general and participation and contribution at the United Nations in particular will continue to be an important pillar in implementing the foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, contributing to promoting and supporting comprehensive and effective international integration, creating momentum for Vietnam to firmly enter the new era, building a strong, prosperous and happy nation.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-tham-du-dhd-lhq-khoa-80-ton-vinh-gia-tri-cua-hoa-binh-tuong-dong-ve-khat-vong-dong-hanh-trong-hanh-dong-328020.html