Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on leaders of UN member states to strive for a world free from war and hunger.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on leaders of UN member states to strive for a world free from war and hunger.
In his address at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Dung said all human life was precious, irrespective of race, religion or gender.
Affirming that any effort to prevent conflict should be valued and any act to provoke war be condemned, the Prime Minister added that peace could only be observed when all countries respected independence, sovereignty and cultural traditions.
Regarding global poverty, Dung said inequality continued to widen and stressed that over 1 billion people still lived in extreme poverty.
"We must rally together to escape poverty, fight disease, protect the environment, respond to natural disasters and build a greener and more just world," he said.
The Prime Minister also backed Viet Nam's record in extending healthcare, education and infrastructure to under-developed communities and ethnic minorities.
"We stand ready to join the UN's peace keeping operations. We are willing to share our resources and experience as a tribute to international friends who have supported us in our struggle for independence, unification, and poverty reduction," he said.
Meeting with UN Chief
During his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, PM Dung said Viet Nam would actively contribute to United Nations programmes and efforts.
He expressed his hope that the UN and the Secretary General would continue to work with Viet Nam to build institutions, human resources and policies for economic growth; while devising solutions to social issues and climate change.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for assistance in economic integration and peacefully resolving disputes in the East Sea in accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The UN chief spoke highly of Viet Nam's achievements in development, while praising its political stability and active contributions to peace, stability and development in the region.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also emphasised the importance of UN development priorities in poverty, sustainable development and peaceful conflict resolution.
At a meeting with the Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe, Dung and his Haitian counterpart discussed ways to boost bilateral ties between the two countries and agreed to boost co-operation in agricultural production and processing, and aquaculture.
Dung also took the opportunity to meet with Moldovan Prime Minister Yuri Lianke, who agreed to increase co-operation in future trade of goods such as seafood, coffee, rubber, rice, textiles and electronics.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister left New York bound for Ha Noi, wrapping up an official tour to France and the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
(Source: VNS)
