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| The Future Summit is a focus of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Source: un.org) |
Could you please share the key contents of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this time?
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the forum where all 193 member states discuss and address important issues under the UN Charter: Peace, security and development. Through its convening power, the GA promotes multilateral dialogue and identifies priorities for global cooperation such as climate action, human rights and conflict resolution.
The call for reconstruction and enhanced multilateral cooperation was the focus of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, along with the use of common resources to promote peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
Sustainable development takes centre stage with new impetus for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in supporting vulnerable areas. The message is clear: We must fight poverty and inequality while protecting the environment.
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| United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis. (Photo: UN Vietnam) |
Peace and security are also important, with a focus on conflict prevention and peaceful resolution in places like Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti and Africa. Reducing military spending and building trust are seen as essential to achieving global peace.
Human rights and dignity remain at the core, with gender equality and women’s empowerment being key drivers of progress. The session stressed that dignity must be upheld everywhere, for everyone.
Technological innovation is seen as a double-edged sword. The 79th session of the UN General Assembly highlighted the need to harness innovations, especially artificial intelligence, for the common good and ensure equitable access. Strengthening international law and combating global threats such as terrorism and human trafficking were also high on the agenda.
Economic growth and equity emphasizes sustainable, inclusive growth through innovation and the green economy, ensuring that developing countries are not left behind in the global economy.
In addition, the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly also emphasized the empowerment of youth, a generation considered a transformational force for future economic development.
Finally, the Session called for institutional reform, promoting the updating of the UN system, including the Security Council and financial mechanisms, to better reflect the realities of today's global challenges.
In conclusion, this Session focuses on renewing global commitment to jointly address today’s challenges, towards a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future. The Future Summit will be the highlight of the Session.
The Future Summit has been carefully prepared over the past two years with many expectations that it can create important changes at the global level. How do you assess the significance and importance of the Summit as well as Vietnam's participation?
The Future Summit is a pivotal moment in global cooperation. We are facing challenges that the current international system (designed decades ago) is ill-equipped to address, from climate change and rising inequality to the rapid development of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
The world has changed, but our institutions have not kept up. This summit aims to overhaul those outdated structures and create a new framework for global governance that is inclusive, effective, and ready for the 21st century. The goal is to build systems that can address the problems we face today, not the problems we faced nearly 80 years ago when the UN was founded.
Vietnam’s participation in the Summit is important. As a middle-income country, Vietnam has a stake in reshaping global financial architectures to ensure access to appropriate finance for sustainable development.
| "Vietnam's participation in the Summit is very important. As a middle-income country, Vietnam has an interest in reshaping global financial structures to ensure access to appropriate finance for sustainable development." |
Vietnam has been a vocal and leading voice in important discussions on climate change (a timely reminder of the vulnerability of a developing country to climate change, especially after Typhoon Yagi caused such devastating damage to vulnerable groups).
By actively engaging in discussions, Vietnam can advocate for reforms that prioritize developing countries and contribute to building more inclusive and responsive international institutions.
The Summit also provides Vietnam with a platform to engage with global leaders, ensuring that Vietnam’s perspectives and challenges are addressed in pursuit of a more equitable and sustainable future. The Summit is an important opportunity for Vietnam to lead and contribute to global dialogues and follow-up actions.
In his recorded speech to the Future Summit, General Secretary and President To Lam said that this historic Summit will bring new thinking and new ways of working for the future of the world. He also acknowledged that this is a great opportunity to reaffirm the irreplaceable values of the UN and multilateralism in the face of today's great challenges.
General Secretary and President To Lam identified that “transformations must begin with advances in science, technology and innovation, and the UN must take the lead in establishing a legal framework for sharing information and supporting countries in developing breakthrough technologies safely and securely.”
Equally noteworthy is the proposal by General Secretary and President To Lam to "establish a global green technology platform where ASEAN and other regional organizations can share experiences and promote green technology development".
With Vietnam's active contributions to the Summit and joint efforts to strengthen peace, cooperation and international solidarity to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN in Vietnam believes that together, "we can achieve the goals of the Summit and lay a solid foundation for future generations".
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| UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis represents diplomatic missions to present support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
What do you think about the urgency of solving global problems in the current context, especially climate change, from the consequences of the historic storm Yagi?
The Future Summit aims to promote immediate and collective action to address pressing crises and emerging issues that threaten human existence.
We are in the midst of “out-of-control climate chaos,” with rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation accelerating at an alarming rate. Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath are estimated to cost Vietnam $1.6 billion, with a projected reduction of 0.15 percent of Vietnam’s GDP in 2024.
If we don't act quickly, this climate chaos could lead to irreversible damage, threatening ecosystems, food security, health and economic stability globally.
Together, we need to forge global cooperation in the 21st century to address this existential threat before it is too late. Not just action – but action together, with urgency and goodwill. Only then can we hope to ensure a livable future for all.
In your opinion, what role do young people play in global efforts towards development and ensuring a sustainable future?
Young people are essential to the global movement towards a sustainable future. We see them as true partners in these efforts. Young people bring fresh perspectives, energy and, most importantly, a long-term perspective to tackling major challenges such as climate change, inequality and peace building.
Youth are often the driving force behind innovation and social change, leading movements and pushing forward frameworks that reshape society.
The UN is committed to ensuring that young people are meaningfully involved at all levels of decision-making, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but actually help shape policies.
By including young people in global efforts, we can make decisions that are not only forward-looking but also more inclusive, paving the way for a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of the next generation.
Vietnam is fortunate. Young people make up 21% of the population – more than 21 million people – the highest proportion of young people in the country’s history. Vietnam should continue to enable young people to bring their ideas, expertise and energy to decision-making platforms at the local and global levels.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dieu-phoi-vien-thuong-tru-lien-hop-quoc-tinh-cach-mang-cua-hoi-nghi-thuong-dinh-tuong-lai-vai-tro-quan-trong-cua-viet-nam-286846.html
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