PM Phuc had a busy working programme with 15 activities, including delivering a speech at the general debate, holding bilateral meetings with the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Secretary-General and top leaders of numerous countries.

The government leader also had a dialogue with representatives from major US groups, and met US friends and representatives from the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to the UN and the Vietnamese community in New York.

In his speech at the High-level General Debate themed “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies,” PM Phuc emphasized that the UN has truly become a symbol of global solidarity, the embodiment of humanity and progress, and where people’s aspirations to strive for a world of peace, prosperity and equality are realized.

“It is our unwavering policy of upholding the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law in the settlement of international disputes through peaceful means, including in the East Sea, which should be resolved on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the safeguard of maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation and aviation,” he said.
The world is facing new and immense obstacles, he said, noting that power politics, the use or threat of force and the rise of unilateral measures still threaten global peace and stability, while injustice, inequality, climate change, pollution and poverty persist.

“No single nation can singlehandedly address the huge global challenges,” he said, emphasizing that concerted efforts and collaboration of all nations are needed.  

The international community should uphold “dual responsibility” in which each nation and individual should take additional responsibility for addressing global issues.

Regarding the important role of the UN in the creation of new foundations to address global challenges in an effective way, PM Phuc suggested the UN step up cooperation with regions, particularly the UN-ASEAN High-level Cooperation mechanism.
As Vietnam has submitted its candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, he thanked the 53 countries of the Asia-Pacific for endorsing Vietnam as the sole candidate of the region.
“Vietnam commits to being an active and responsible member of the international community and the United Nations”, Phuc said.

On the fringes of the event, the Vietnamese cabinet leader had separate meetings with President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Fijian President Jioji Konrote, and Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet to discuss measures to boost Vietnam’s cooperation with the UN, and the five above-mentioned countries.

He also received Senior Managing Director of Harbinger Capital Phil Falcone, and Director of Warburg Pincus Timothy Geithner, and met representatives from more than 40 leading businesses of the US.

The PM’s trip is of great significance, affirming Vietnam’s role and commitments to joining hands with other UN members to deal with global challenges, and conveying the country’s message of fostering global partnership for a peaceful, equal and sustainably developing world.