The nation, along with Norway and South Africa, hosted a virtual meeting on November 25 between the ten incumbent non-permanent members (E10) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and five newly elected non-permanent members (I5).

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the online meeting

The meeting saw more than 100 international and domestic delegates in attendance, including representatives of E10-I5 member countries, delegations in New York, and representatives of embassies in Hanoi, among others.

This event is of both importance and practical significance due to it being the first international meeting hosted by Vietnam within the framework of the UNSC since its first term, from 2008 to 2009. Hosting the occasion shows the Vietnamese side’s great contribution as well as the close co-ordination among E10 members in a bid to improve the operational efficiency of the UNSC in maintaining international peace and security.

Furthermore, putting on the virtual function also contributes to exerting the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of external relations, therefore marking the nation as a reliable partner and a responsible member of the wider international community.

In his speech at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that this marks a challenging year for the international community, largely due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic causing a medical, social, and economic crisis. Indeed, the issue has seriously threatened international peace and security, whilst also significantly impacting the activities of the UNSC.

Moving forward, the world faces plenty of challenges caused by the strategic competition between major countries, a trend of reduced commitment to multilateral mechanisms, extreme nationalism, regional tensions, in addition to climate change, terrorism, and transnational crime, Deputy PM Minh said.

E10 - I5 members play an increasingly important role in making proposals,
initiatives and documents to promote issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council

Within this context, the Deputy PM welcomed the joint efforts of the international community to maintain peace, co-operation, and development, thereby affirming the confidence of UN members for the importance of multilateralism and the UN's co-ordinating role in global affairs.

Deputy PM Minh shared his expectations that the E10-I5 meeting would enhance understanding, sharing his views on his assessment of the international situation and experience in preparation and participation in UNSC activities of non-permanent member countries. This is along with the appropriate directions and measures which have been devised to promote the common priorities of the UNSC moving forward.

The UNSC has moved to rapidly adapt to and adjust its working method to adapt to the COVID-19 context whilst continuing to be a multilateral mechanism responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

E10-I5 members play an increasingly important role in the UNSC, especially in terms of making proposals and putting forward initiatives to promote issues that are on the agenda of the group. On that basis, the Deputy PM expressed his hope that E10 members would co-operate more closely in order to contribute to the operation of the UNSC as a means of improving the efficiency and transparency of the council.

Moreover, Deputy PM Minh also emphasised the country’s commitments and priorities in the UNSC during its term, such as promoting multilateralism and multilateral solutions to conflict resolution, as well as strengthening international commitments and respect for the UN Charter and international law. In addition to stepping up co-operation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, a focus is on conflict prevention and citizen protection, especially vulnerable groups, essential infrastructure in armed conflicts, post-conflict reconstruction, including dealing with the consequences of bombs and mines.

During the course of the two-day meeting, non-permanent members will participate in various sessions to discuss trends and challenges faced by the current UNSC. This is along with co-operation with E10 countries, working methods of the UNSC, and sharing experience and positive lessons towards closer co-operation among E10 countries in the future.