Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations Dang Hoang Giang at the meeting.

In a world riddled with uncertainties and strategic complexities, trust plays a critical role in conflict prevention and solution, and is the bedrock for a multilateral system that can achieve and sustain peace, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council’s open debate on “Futureproofing trust for sustaining peace” on May 3.

Stressing that trust cannot be coerced or manufactured but rests on the principles of fairness and equality, Giang called on all actors in international relations, especially the major powers, to act in good faith and uphold their responsibility, while fully considering the legitimate interests of all parties and stakeholders.

Multilateralism and respect for international law, including the UN Charter, should be the core elements of trust-building, he emphasised.

Regarding post-conflict peace-building, the Vietnamese representative emphasised the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and trust, especially between UN Peacekeeping Missions and authorities, people as well as political and armed forces of the receiving countries.

He also called on the international community and the UN Security Council to promote solutions to build confidence in dealing with the root causes of conflicts such as poverty and inequality, on the basis of improving transparency and inclusive in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while identifying trust-building as one of the key components of the UN Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace.

Vietnam always places great importance on weaving trust and trust-building into its domestic and foreign policies. This helps maintain national unity and enhance international integration. It is clearly reflected in the country’s consistent foreign policy of diversification and a commitment to being a trusted international partner. It is also shown in the country’s contribution to the UN work, UN peacekeeping operations and other multilateral forums, he added.

At the debate, delegates expressed concern about the erosion of trust in international relations and in multilateral mechanisms that results in an increase in the risk of conflicts and challenges for the international community in building and maintaining peace.

Relevant countries and organisations also emphasised the need to restore and strengthen trust at both the global and regional levels as well as at the national scale for the sake of sustainable and long-term peace.