Viet Nam elected to UN Economic and Social Council

Viet Nam overwhelmingly won its election to the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure with 182 out of 187 valid votes. — Photo qdnd.vn

Viet Nam overwhelmingly won its election to the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure with 182 out of 187 valid votes. — Photo qdnd.vn

As one of the six UN agencies, the ECOSOC considers issues related to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and humanitarian affairs, and makes recommendations to promote respect for and exercise of human rights.

Vietnamnews | Oct 22, 2015

Viet Nam overwhelmingly won its election to the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure with 182 out of 187 valid votes.

The UN General Assembly also elected 17 other new members of the ECOSOC on October 21 to serve the three-year term beginning on January 1, 2016.

This is the second time Viet Nam has been elected to the ECOSOC. The country first served on the ECOSOC from 1998 through 2000.

The re-election marks a new step forward in the country’s efforts to implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and proactive and active international integration in line with Resolutions of the 11th National Party Congress and the Political Bureau.

It also demonstrates the international community’s confidence in Viet Nam and their acknowledgment of national construction and defence achievements as well as its contributions to the UN and common efforts for a better world.

Talking with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent immediately after the election results were announced, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said Viet Nam was well aware of its great responsibility as a new member of the ECOSOC, which takes on a pile of tasks in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by world leaders at a UN summit last September.

Viet Nam will take an active part in ECOSOC activities, mobilise social involvement, contribute to revamping the operation of the UN’s development system and effectively make progress on development cooperation to successfully implement the agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to poverty reduction, sustainable and comprehensive economic growth and environmental protection, she pledged.

As one of the six UN agencies, the ECOSOC considers issues related to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and humanitarian affairs, and makes recommendations to promote respect for and exercise of human rights.

Viet Nam’s election to the ECOSOC has received warm responses from international friends, who said they pin high hopes on the country and the other 53 members in realising the SDGs.

ECOSOC President, Ambassador Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea, congratulated Viet Nam on its election, which, he said, took place after the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was approved last month. The agency is expected to play a crucial role in implementing the new agenda.

Expressing his pleasure to cooperate with a friendly country like Viet Nam, Oh Joon said he hopes to partner closely with Viet Nam in performing major tasks of the ECOSOC in his capacity as President.

ECOSOC Vice President, Argentinean Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval, saidViet Nam’s election manifests UN members’ confidence in the country.

According to him, implementing the SDGs and inspecting budget allocations for development projects are main tasks for this year and next year, and Viet Nam is one of the key players of the UN Group of 77 developing nations.

As a member of the ECOSOC, Viet Nam will contribute its opinions on building policies, documents and activities of ECOSOC covering global socio-economic aspects.

The country will also have more opportunities to exchange experiences with international friends in socio-economic development.

IPU’s Executive Committee

Viet Nam has also been elected as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Executive Committee at its recent 133rd assembly.

The 17-member body oversees the administration of the IPU and provides advice to the Governing Council.

As one of two Asia-Pacific nations winning the vote, Viet Nam will continue to promote the region’s position at global parliamentary dialogues, contributing to the general achievements of diplomatic efforts worldwide.

The 133rd Assembly (IPU-133) took place in Geneva, Switzerland from October 17 –21 with the migrant crisis, the worst since World War II, highlighted at a plenary session. More than 800 participants representing 135 member states urged parties involved to share responsibilities and protect migrants based on international conventions and humanitarian laws.

Addressing the session, Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Tran Van Hang suggested a range of solutions before the assembly adopted a relevant emergency item on its agenda.

The assembly approved a resolution on democracy in the digital era and the threat to privacy and individual freedoms, and reports from its Standing Committees on Peace and International Security; Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade; and on United Nations Affairs.

On the sidelines of the IPU-133, the Vietnamese NA official met with senior delegates from Sweden, the UK, Hungary and Micronesia to put forth measures to strengthen ties moving forward. — VNS