Mr. President,

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, I wish to congratulate H.E. Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki for being elected as the President of the 64^th General Assembly of the United Nations. I believe that with his rich experience, Mr. President will lead this General Assembly to success. Viet Nam commends the theme that Mr. President proposed for this high-level General Debate being ‘Effective response to the global crisis: enhancement of multilateralism and dialogue among civilisations for peace, international security and development.’

I further wish to express our high appreciation to H.E. Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann for his contributions to the work of the 63^rd General Assembly.

Mr. President,

The last year since the 63^rd General Assembly is not a long span of time, yet deeply characterized by so many challenges to the entire international community. All parts of the world have suffered from the negative and far-reaching impacts of the global financial crisis and economic downturn. This further aggravates the challenges in food security, energy security and climate change facing developing countries in particular. In the meantime, tension and conflicts remain in various regions; and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism continue to be the threats demanding effective responses.

As such, the last year has also witnessed the enormous efforts of the international community both in thinking and action to not only address the immediate problems but also create a more sustainable foundation for the common peace and prosperity. In due course, nations have been able to draw valuable lessons on governance over domestic development and gain fuller understanding on the meaning of multilateral cooperation. It is evident that no single country could respond to the financial and economic crisis as well as a series of the current global challenges. It is equally evident that policies and measures of imposition and unilateral use of force to address international security and political issues could only result in more tension, confrontation and impasse.

Given the many difficulties at present, we are encouraged by the positive yet not solid signs of the world economy. The first Summit of the UN Security Council on nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament has highlighted the question of disarmament on the international agenda. Viet Nam recognizes the active contributions of the United Nations and the Secretary-General in the furtherance of discussions on and direct support for the implementation of concrete measures in relation to issues of international concern. In this connection, Viet Nam hopes that this General Assembly will focus its deliberations on the following issues:

Respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter in international relations is the determinant for peace and security and the prerequisite for all activities of the international community. On that basis, the United Nations should continue to make active contributions to easing tension and peacefully resolving outstanding disputes and conflicts, including those relating to the DPRK and Iran. It is Viet Nam’s hope that early progress will be made in the negotiations for a peaceful, comprehensive, fair and lasting solution in the Middle East on the basis of ensuring the fundamental national rights of the Palestinian people and the legitimate interests of all parties concerned. We fully support the national reconciliation and reconstruction process in Afghanistan and Iraq, and strongly condemn terrorist acts against civilians in these countries as well as in other places in the world. We oppose the unilateral use of economic sanctions against developing countries and support UN General Assembly Resolutions on the necessity of immediately ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against Cuba.

Effective and comprehensive response to today’s economic and financial crisis is the top concern of the international community. In the immediate time, it comprises urgent measures to curb the pace of downturn, encourage an early recovery of the world economy and minimize the negative impacts of the crisis, particularly on the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing countries. In the long run, it embraces considerations of development paradigms suitable for individual nations and reforms of the system of international economic relations which has for quite a while shown many irrationalities. It is also imperative to promote the role of the UN in designing international strategies and mechanisms to address the energy and food crisis, pandemics, and climate change, including issues to be discussed at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change this upcoming December.

The UN reform process should also continue to meet the newly emerging complicated requirements. Viet Nam shares the common view that reforms should be conducted in all UN agencies, with the one of the Security Council conducted in such a way that broadens its representation and increases its democracy and transparency in its operational methodology. Reforms of the mechanism should go hand in hand with renewal of content and due attention paid to a balance among fields of activity of the UN. UN operations should also be sufficiently resourced.

Next year, member States will commemorate the 65^th anniversary of the United Nations, while reviewing the Organization’s activities and the 10-year implementation of the MDGs. To prepare grounds for recommendations to be submitted to member State leaders at the 65^th General Assembly, we need to discuss what lessons to be drawn from UN activities in all spheres, and what prioritized activities and necessary conditions are for the Organization to fully perform its mandates and functions in the interest of all nations.

Mr. President,

Viet Nam has over the past period continued to record major achievements in the process of renewal in general and initial positive gains in response to the impact of the global economic and financial crisis in particular. We have also been successful in our foreign policy of openness, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations in the spirit of being a friend and reliable partner of all nations and an active, constructive, cooperative and responsible member of the international community.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, we have been an active participant in and an effective and responsible contributor to the maintenance of the world’s peace and security. A peace-loving nation, Viet Nam always strongly supports and contributes to the peaceful settlement of international disputes and conflicts, the fight against trans-national crime, international terrorism and the promotion of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As a country that experienced decades of war with devastating consequences, including the long-term effects of the Agent Orange toxic chemical, and as a country that has attained important achievements in development, Viet Nam has always endeavoured for the effective operation of UN Security Council in supporting reconstruction efforts of countries emerging from conflicts. In its work, Viet Nam treasures consultation and cooperation with other members of the Security Council and the UN, as shown by our initiative to consult Member States on the latest Security Council Annual Report. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all Member States for their cooperation without which Viet Nam would not have accomplished this undertaking.

In the time to come, Viet Nam will continue to be an active part in the world’s peace, stability, cooperation and development, thus contributing to efforts of the United Nations and the international community in accelerating the solution of social issues and global challenges as well as the implementation of development programs and the ‘Delivering as One’ initiative.

Mr. President,

This year’s General Assembly is taking place at a crucial juncture when the world has witnessed many significant changes in 2009 and required from us corresponding policy decisions. I believe that only by standing shoulder-by-shoulder to enhance multilateral cooperation, could we meet the expectations and aspirations of our peoples and set out the directions for long-term development of the UN. Viet Nam will always be a supportive, active and responsible participant in this noble mission.

Thank you for your kind attention.