The UN General Assembly a key forum for protection of Universal Human Values and National Interests
As a researcher in the field of comparative political science and international relations, I try not only to listen attentively to the words and phrases in the speeches of statesmen and politicians, but also to grasp the underlying inner meaning
By Valentin Yakushik
As a researcher in the field of comparative political science and international relations, I try not only to listen attentively to the words and phrases in the speeches of statesmen and politicians, but also to grasp the underlying inner meaning, to take into account the general context and real direction of ideas proposed for the general public discussion.
The 76th session of the UN General Assembly currently taking place in New York provides excellent examples of official texts that enable one to reconstruct the intentions of the leaders of countries who are participating in this important international forum, and to perceive the general professional and spiritual level of political and administrative teams that prepared the corresponding texts for their senior officials.
Let us consider a specific example of Vietnam, a South-East Asian nation (the area of my special research interests) which by a number of parameters is commensurate with Ukraine, my native country. In the speech of Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at the session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2021, the following basic semantic blocks can be distinguished:
1. Vietnams positions on the fight against the COVOD-19 pandemic, clearly defined within the framework of the contemporary worlds mainstream diplomatic and general administrative discourse.
“The pandemic sounds a warning bell of the shocking destruction that may be caused by non-traditional security challenges such as diseases or climate change, if they are not addressed at timely and decisively. The pandemic has also exposed the shortcomings of the global governance system and the increasing inequality among nations.
2. From the idea of expedience of solidarity in the global fight against the pandemic to the idea of the intrinsic deep value of peaceful coexistence and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.
COVID-19 is not the sole challenge that we are facing today. Increasing tensions among major powers has led to a divisive and unstable international system. Wars are taking the lives of many innocent people. Disputes over territories and resources in many areas are on the verge of erupting. The rise of power politics, the disregard for international law, and the unilateral acts of coercion and hindrance against countries in exercising their legal rights are still taking place in many regions.
3. High appreciation of the role of the UN.
“The United Nations – with its 75-year experience in preserving peace and nurturing friendly, just and equitable international relations – continues to assert its key role in the multilateral system. The Organization continues to effectively coordinate global efforts to respond to global challenges that cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone. We value the role played by the UN system and expect that it will continue to support member states efforts to build resilience, accommodating the interests and concerns of all countries.
4. Following the concept of sustainability and resilience.
“Resilience can only be sustained if it is based upon cooperation and connectivity among nations, particularly at a time when non-traditional security challenges do not know borders and can impact any nation.
5. Understanding the crisis as new opportunities for development.
The challenges we face can be turned into development opportunities. As our daily lives as well as production and business activities have to undergo changes to adapt to the pandemic, this is an opportunity for digital transformation, utilization of novel technologies, and enhanced productivity, competitiveness and self-reliance of our economies. We call upon all countries to fulfill their financing for development commitments, reschedule debt payments by developing countries, and provide these countries with necessary resources to contain COVID-19 and foster recovery, thereby turning opportunities into concrete development outcomes.
6. Supporting the mainstream discourse on preventing climate change, decrease of carbon dioxide emissions, etc. in a set of ideas on practical measures to protect the environment, with special reference to the need for maximum efficient assistance to developing countries.
Cooperation in mitigating and preventing the dire impacts of climate change has become more crucial than ever before. Harsh weather conditions, sea level rise, environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation are the cumulative consequences of decades of mankinds reckless quest for development. We need to make every effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, in which developed countries should take the lead. Developing countries should receive further assistance in financing, technology transfer and capacity-building so as to reduce emissions, and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation in ways that foster transition towards green and circular economy. This is a shared opportunity for us to ensure the harmony between man and nature.
7. Ensuring peace, cessation and prevention of armed conflicts.
The pre-requisite to fostering recovery and growth in the post-pandemic era is to sustain peace, security, and stability in each country, each region, and the world at large. Vietnam calls for a global ceasefire and an end to all violence to ensure the safety of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance in areas of conflicts. Vietnam has undergone decades of wars to reclaim independence and national reunification, escape isolation and embargoes. We have made every effort to mobilize our internal strengths, uphold self-reliance, and adapt ourselves to the prevailing trends of our time to achieve our potential, international standing and prestige today.
We understand thoroughly the meaning of nothing is more precious than independence and freedom, and of peace and development of each nation. Vietnam condemns all acts of war and power politics, and violations of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law. More than ever before, all actors in international relations need to act in good faith and uphold responsibility, while avoiding tensions and confrontation. We should together strive to reshape international ties and build trust among countries on the basis of equality and cooperation. We must also respect the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and resolve disputes by peaceful means.
And in this regard, the President of Vietnam has reiterated the appeal for a complete end to the unilateral embargoes against Cuba, for stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan for the Afghan people, particularly women and children, as well as the appeal for a fair delimitation between Palestine and Israel as independent states.
8. On ambitious and realistic goals for strategic development of Vietnam.
By 2045, on the centenary anniversary of its independence, Vietnam is aiming to become a high-income developed country. The aspiration for a strong and prosperous Vietnam can only be realized when the country is truly a law-governed state of the people, for the people and by the people, and is able to invoke the patriotism, perseverance, great national solidarity and innovation of the entire nation.
Vietnam is pursuing a people-centered approach, and is striving to achieve social progress and equality, preserve cultural values, and protect the environment, while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. This is closely aligned with the SDGs that we endeavor to fulfill. Vietnam has been pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralization of external relations. As a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is proactively and actively engaged in extensive international integration, making responsible contributions to the concerted efforts of the international community.
9. Vietnams reliance on regional cooperation with ASEAN countries, the efficient role of ASEAN as an example for other regional organizations’ activities in cooperation with the UN and, in particular, in resolving territorial disputes.
The accentuation of the role of ASEAN is particularly significant in the context of forming of new alliances in the region: Vietnam is working closely with fellow ASEAN members to promote ASEAN centrality in the maintenance of peace, security and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific at large. Vietnam shares ASEANs position and the international communitys common voice on the importance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. We believe that all parties should refrain from unilateral actions that may further complicate the situation, resolve disputes and differences through peaceful means in line with the UN Charter and international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982. It is also necessary to fully observe the Declaration of Conduct by parties in the South China Sea, and soon achieve a substantial and effective Code of Conduct in line with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
10. And in conclusion – placing general conceptual problems in the current context of Vietnams role in the UN as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Vietnam in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2020-2021, has always upheld the principle of Partnership for sustainable peace. We have promoted dialogue and cooperation, and actively joined the concerted efforts to prevent and address conflicts. Vietnam has advocated strengthening the upholding of the UN Charter and international law, bolstering cooperation with regional organizations, conflict prevention, mine action, and the protection of civilians and civilian critical infrastructure in armed conflicts.
(The author is professor, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev.)
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