Vietnam Promotes Global Culture at UN General Assembly

Vietnam has underscored its commitment to promoting sustainable development through culture on the international stage during its participation in the UN General Assembly. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam engaged in policy dialogues and bilateral meetings with world leaders and major corporations in New York, aiming to enhance Vietnam's global influence. A particular emphasis was placed on safeguarding cultural heritage and recognizing the role of culture in sustainable development. At an Asia-Pacific dialogue conference co-organized by the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and others, a policy forum discussed approaches to preserving heritage authenticity amidst urbanization, climate change, and tourism development. A UNESCO representative highlighted the "International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036)" as a crucial ten-year framework to strengthen culture's place in development. UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany hailed the UN General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development, thanking Vietnam for promoting the initiative. This recognition further solidifies Vietnam's position as a proactive player in global cultural preservation efforts. President To Lam held meetings with the Presidents of Timor-Leste, Switzerland, and Finland, and also delivered a policy speech at the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) in New York. He proposed four major orientations to steer and manage change, ensuring that competition does not escalate into confrontation and that technological progress does not create new divisions. During his US visit, President To Lam also witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between Vietnam and the UN. He met with leaders of major US groups, including Warburg Pincus, Boeing, and Apple, to discuss investment, aviation, and technology cooperation. His engagements also included meetings with Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in the US, as well as with leaders of the Communist Party USA, reflecting Vietnam's broad approach to international engagement. Vietnam's commitment to international peace and stability was further demonstrated by the departure of its Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 and Engineering Unit Rotation 5 for UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and Abyei. This underscores Vietnam's capacity and willingness to contribute to global peace. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) will host the 59th Executive Board Meeting of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in Vietnam in 2027, signaling Vietnam's active role in strengthening cooperation among news agencies in a rapidly evolving digital media landscape. VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang announced this at the 58th OANA Executive Board Meeting in Moscow. The National Assembly Standing Committee discussed the draft 2027 legislative program, with NA President Tran Thanh Man calling for earlier preparation and higher quality. Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the UNDP, noted that Vietnam's journey from war to prosperity and its experience in balancing economic growth with social progress and environmental protection offer valuable lessons for fostering trust and enhancing multilateralism. These multifaceted activities highlight Vietnam's ambition to play a responsible role in the international community, extending beyond economic growth to encompass culture, peacekeeping, and global cooperation. This aligns with Vietnam's diplomatic strategy to deepen international ties while maintaining its one-party system and pursuing economic development.