Vietnam's President To Lam Addresses UN General Assembly, Emphasizing Peace and Cooperation

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam delivered a significant address at the high-level general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) at the UN headquarters in New York on September 22 (local time), emphasizing Vietnam's choice of peace, cooperation, and development. He stated that as an active member, a trustworthy partner, and a responsible nation, Vietnam will persistently work with other countries to strengthen the UN, uphold international law, and translate commitments into tangible benefits for the people, thereby building a peaceful, equitable, inclusive, and better world for all. As part of his trip to attend the UNGA 81 high-level general debate and conduct bilateral activities in the US, President To Lam held meetings with leaders of various countries, including Ghana, Bhutan, the Vatican, Timor-Leste, Switzerland, and Finland. Discussions focused on promoting cooperation in diverse fields such as agriculture, fisheries, sustainable renewable energy, emission reduction, and climate change adaptation. Regarding the Vietnam–US relationship, President To Lam affirmed that the value of a sense of responsibility has become increasingly evident. He expressed Vietnam's wish to work with the US to ensure that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries develops in a stable, substantive, effective, and sustainable manner, contributing positively to peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond. He also appreciated the US Department of War's coordination in organizing an event on the “Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative” (VWAI), reflecting the US commitment to joining Vietnam’s “500-day campaign” to accelerate the search, collection, and identification of the remains of Vietnamese soldiers. Domestically, a review of key transport project implementation revealed that by the end of August, disbursed capital for these projects reached VND 95.44 trillion, or 38% of their allocated capital, falling below the national rate of nearly 50%. This highlights challenges in infrastructure development crucial for achieving Vietnam's economic growth targets. Furthermore, the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8, comprising 63 military personnel, will replace Rotation 7 at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), underscoring Vietnam's commitment to international peacekeeping contributions. Vietnam also noted positive progress in its Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China in recent years, characterized by regular high-level exchanges and broadening cooperation across fields, including cultural, educational, tourism, and local ties. The UNGA 81 high-level General Debate runs from September 22 to 28, serving as a crucial forum for world leaders to share visions and seek solutions to pressing global issues. Source: VietnamPlus English