Vietnam continues to emphasize that strengthening solidarity is the foundation of strength for the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the invitation of Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, VicePresident Vo Thi Anh Xuan will lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda from January 19-20. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), had a talk with TG&VN ahead of the Conference.

The 19th Summit of the KLK Movement will be attended by senior leaders and representatives of 120 member countries, representatives of observer countries and international organizations. Could you please share with us the significance and key contents of this Conference?

This conference is of great significance. Since the last Summit of the Palestinian Movement (July 2019), the world has undergone many changes – conflicts and hotspots have become more complex, especially the conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated more and more seriously.

Multidimensional crises and non-traditional security challenges, especially the Covid-19 pandemic, are continuing and causing difficulties and hindering the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries, especially developing countries. The international community is also making many efforts to promote reform processes, reshape institutions and multilateral cooperation towards better recovery and response to these challenges.

As one of the important forces of developing countries with more than 100 member countries, the KLK Movement needs to play a leading role in these important processes to promote stronger voices and protect the interests of developing countries.

In this context, the KLK Movement Summit in Kampala will feature many important discussions. KLK member countries will have the opportunity to share comprehensive views on global and regional issues, especially the conflict situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as reaffirm their commitment to the principles and role of KLK in the current context.

The conference also emphasized that the Movement needs to continue to adhere to the principles of the KLK to strengthen solidarity, enhance cooperation, and reduce differences among member countries, thereby enhancing the role and position of the Movement in participating in solving global and regional challenges, contributing to maintaining international peace and security, and promoting sustainable development of countries.

The conference is also expected to adopt a Final Document with comprehensive content, reflecting the common stance of the KLK Movement on major issues such as disarmament, promoting multilateralism, complying with international law, reforming economic, financial and international trade institutions, as well as enhancing climate action and implementing the SDGs.

Đại sứ Đặng Hoàng Giang: Việt Nam tiếp tục nhấn mạnh tăng cường đoàn kết là cơ sở sức mạnh của Phong trào Không liên kết

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN). (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN)

This document will be of great value in guiding cooperation and action within the KLK framework, as well as promoting deeper engagement of the Movement in important global governance processes in the coming period, especially at the Future Summit to take place in 2024.

As an active member of the KLK Movement from the very first days of participation, what message does Vietnam want to send to the Conference, Ambassador?

Right from the early days of forming the idea of KLK, Vietnam actively discussed with other countries, established basic principles, and directed the activities of the KLK Movement at the Bandung Conference in 1955.

The Vietnamese national liberation movement was one of the important contributions to the common struggle of the KLK member countries and the first success of the Movement in eliminating colonialism and imperialism on a global scale. After officially joining the KLK in 1976, Vietnam made many contributions, practical and constructive exchanges, gradually becoming a member with a voice and role in the KLK Movement.

On that basis, at this Summit, Vietnam continues to participate with the consistent message of emphasizing the importance of strengthening solidarity, which is also the foundation of the strength of the Non-Aligned Movement, especially in the current volatile international context. The Bandung principles of non-alignment, strict compliance with international law and the UN Charter, respect for sovereign equality, non-threat or use of force against other countries, non-interference in internal affairs and settlement of all disputes by peaceful means continue to be important guidelines for the actions of countries in international relations. Therefore, the Non-Aligned Movement needs to promote a stronger common voice to protect these principles, especially in the context of violations of international law that still exist.

Vietnam also believes that, as a gathering of the majority of UN member countries, the KLK Movement needs to further promote its role and voice in global governance, promote multilateralism, and participate substantially and effectively in resolving current challenges.

At the Conference, Vietnam will continue to affirm its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and readiness to be a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, thereby demonstrating its role and image as a responsible member of the Non-Aligned Movement in particular and the international community in general.

Thank you Ambassador!

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a special force group born during the height of national liberation and in the context of the Cold War that threatened to lead to a new world war. From 25 initial members, the NM is now a large force group of 120 members (53 African countries, 26 Latin American countries, 37 Asian countries, 1 European country, 3 Oceanian countries) on all continents, accounting for nearly 2/3 of the total number of United Nations (UN) members, about 51% of the world's population; 15 countries and 11 international organizations are observers; has a role and voice on many international issues, especially within the UN framework.

Since joining the movement, Vietnam has always attached importance to the KLK Movement; attended all Summits and Foreign Ministers' Conferences, closely coordinated with active forces to strengthen solidarity, promote the role of the Movement, and strive to fight for the goals of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

With its active participation, Vietnam has always been a member with a voice and role in the KLK Movement. We also closely coordinate with active forces to strengthen solidarity, promote the role of the Movement, and strive to fight for the goals of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

Vietnam always considers participation in the Non-Aligned Movement a consistent policy, part of the open, multilateral and diversified foreign policy, complementing our bilateral, regional and international relations. We advocate participating and contributing more actively to the common development of non-aligned and developing countries.

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