Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, stated that countries must have a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism at national, regional, and global levels, with the UN playing a co-ordinating role in line with international law and the UN Charter.

They should continue to effectively deal with structural challenges such as inequality and political, as well as economic and social injustice, he said. The diplomat went on to say that as countries strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and face numerous socio-economic difficulties, the international community’s assistance for struggling countries is of great importance.

He therefore called on all nations to perform their obligations in accordance with international law, while simultaneously preventing the conducting, incitement, or sponsorship of terrorist acts against others.

The diplomat added that Vietnam has made every effort to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and international obligations in the terror fight and closely co-operated with international organisations and other countries in this regard.

Most notably, the nation has joined 15 global conventions and many regional and bilateral agreements on the fight against terrorism and trans-national crimes.

It attaches great importance to national obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions on this matter, including regulations on the issue in many relevant legal documents, and continuously seeks to improve the capacity of law enforcement bodies. This includes setting up a counter-terrorism training centre under the Ministry of Public Security in February.

During the meeting, participants expressed their concern that the terrorism remains complex worldwide, directly affecting international peace and security, whilst threatening the stability and sovereignty of many states.

They used the platform to condemn terrorism and called on the international community to improve their sense of responsibility and carry out international obligations on counter-terrorism.

Many participants underlined the necessity of ensuring the principle of respecting national sovereignty while activities against international terrorism are conducted, with others highlighting their opposition against financing or supporting terrorists.

Members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and many other states shared the view that countries must act in line with international law and not support, encourage, or allow terrorist organisations to operate in their territories. They also stressed the necessity of enhancing international co-operation in counter-terrorism, voicing support for the UN’s central role in this regard.