General Phan Van Giang meets with the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations

Within the framework of the Future Summit, the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, had a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix in New York.

Minister Phan Van Giang and UN Deputy Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

At the meeting, Minister Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure at visiting the United Nations Headquarters and highly appreciated the role of this organization in building the international legal system, peacekeeping activities, preventing conflicts and responding to global challenges. He affirmed that Vietnam, as a member state of the United Nations, always complies with the Charter, Resolutions and Action Programs of the United Nations. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense expressed its gratitude to the United Nations for its companionship and support over the past 47 years.

The Minister stressed that Vietnam actively participates in the United Nations' joint efforts in addressing non-traditional security challenges, contributing to maintaining regional and international peace and security, especially in peacekeeping, disarmament and cross-border crime prevention. He also informed that Vietnam always complies with the UN Security Council's resolutions on preventing and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and proactively participates in activities within the framework of international conventions on disarmament.

Regarding the results achieved after 10 years of participating in UN peacekeeping activities, the Minister said that Vietnam has sent more than 900 military and police personnel to the United Nations Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the Abyei Region (UNISFA). Vietnam has also successfully deployed five Level 2 Field Hospitals to the UNMISS Mission and two Engineering Teams to the UNISFA Mission. Notably, on September 24, 2024, Vietnam will continue to deploy Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6 to the UNMISS Mission and Engineering Team No. 3 to the UNISFA Mission. He emphasized that Vietnam has always maintained a high rate of female soldiers participating in UN peacekeeping activities, at around 14%.

On behalf of the leadership of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, Minister Phan Van Giang expressed sincere thanks to the United Nations and Deputy Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for their support and assistance to Vietnam in this field.

Emphasizing the consistent commitment to pursuing an independent and self-reliant foreign policy for peace, cooperation and development, Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam is a reliable friend and partner, as well as a responsible member of the international community. He expressed his desire to continue to increase participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, not only in form but also in scale of deployment. The Minister also emphasized the importance of sending officers to participate in activities organized by the United Nations and called for support and assistance from the United Nations for Military Attachés and officers of the Vietnam People's Army.

Minister Phan Van Giang also expressed his hope that UN Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix would continue to support Vietnam's commitments and determination in participating in peacekeeping activities. Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix highly appreciated Vietnam's increasingly active and effective participation in UN peacekeeping activities, emphasizing that Vietnamese soldiers and police have demonstrated their capacity, qualifications and high sense of responsibility in performing their duties at peacekeeping missions. He said these contributions have improved the effectiveness of the missions in which Vietnam participates.

Mr. Lacroix pledged to continue supporting Vietnam in enhancing its capacity and expanding its participation in UN peacekeeping operations in the future. He believed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense as well as Vietnam would continue to make effective contributions to these activities, thereby affirming its responsibility for international peace and security, while strengthening its trusted cooperative relationship with the United Nations and other partners.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-gap-pho-tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-348037.html