Vietnam Increasingly Asserts Position in International Arena

In the special context of 2020, Vietnam has made many impressive achievements in foreign relations, increasingly enhancing its role and reputation in the world.

Assuming many important positions in the region and in the world

Over the past years, the Party and State of Vietnam have always underscored foreign policies. Vietnam has actively contributed to solving world problems from peacekeeping to settlement of territorial disputes in the East Sea. Vietnam has shown itself as a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.

The year 2020 can be said to be an important milestone in Vietnam's diplomacy, as Vietnam simultaneously assumed the position of ASEAN President 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Opening the term of a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations, on January 31, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Delegation of Vietnam Permanent Representative to the United Nations, chaired a meeting to summarize the activities when Vietnam held its rotating Chairman. During the month of Vietnam holding the chairmanship position, the Security Council organized 30 official activities, two open discussions, eight report meetings and four resolution meetings which were broadcast live on the UN information system.

In particular, during this time, the Security Council adopted 13 decisions, including four resolutions and one decision on the extension of UN missions, forces and mechanisms, and one statement by the Chairman, five press statements and two press releases. This is the highest number of decisions in a Security Council working month in recent years.

Ms. A.Gueguen, Deputy Head of the French Permanent Mission, highly appreciated Vietnam's "ingenuity and efficiency" as Chair of the UN Security Council. She stated that during Vietnam’s time as chair, the Security Council passed important resolutions affecting millions of people around the world, such as the extended resolution allowing the continued delivery of relief goods to the Syrian people.

At the same time, in 2020, Vietnam also held the position of Chairman of ASEAN 2020. The spirit of a "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” was strongly upheld through all activities, especially in an effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many activities were implemented to ensure the dual goal of fighting the pandemic and boosting socio-economic development, e.g. promoting the anti-pandemic initiatives, economic development in a special period; activating ASEAN's emergency medical response; building the regional overall post-pandemic recovery plan; building the ASEAN Fund to respond to Covid-19; and building an emergency preventive medicine warehouse, helping ASEAN countries to control the disease well.

In addition, maintaining the linkage among ASEAN countries, and ASEAN and the world in various forms such as online meetings, information exchange, cooperation and making many important decisions has brought about encouraging results in pandemic prevention and economic recovery.

Rising position

Faced with the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has proactively adapted to the new situation, actively, flexibly and creatively implemented international integration in economic, political and social terms and achieved many positive results. From the early days of disease prevention with initial success, in extremely difficult conditions, Vietnam has actively shared experiences and provided support (many essential products such as masks and medical equipment) to neighboring countries, countries in the region and even big countries. Vietnamese people living overseas are also willing to share with the local community. This has created a great spread, which is highly appreciated by international friends.

Not only promoting the role and voice of regional and international organizations, in the difficult context of 2020, bilateral relations between Vietnam and partner countries still maintain the momentum of cooperation and development. The highlight is the visit to Vietnam by the new Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Suga Yoshihide. Vietnam is the first place that Mr. Yoshihide visited right after taking office. This proves Vietnam's increasingly enhanced position in the international arena in general and strategic position for Japan in particular.

In particular, in 2020, Vietnam and many major partners also celebrate important milestones in diplomatic relations such as 70 years of relations between Vietnam and China, 25 years of normalization and establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, 30 years of relations between Vietnam and the European Union. In fact, with the results of Vietnam's cooperation with these important partners, it can be seen that a strong and effective cooperation is still maintained.

In addition, in recent years, the host countries of major economic forums such as G7 and G20 have invited Vietnam to attend. This is not only the result of Vietnam's good performance of its international responsibilities this year, but also demonstrates Vietnam's rising position.

It can be said that over the past time, Vietnam's foreign affairs have made great progress. In 2020, despite facing unprecedented difficulties due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has successfully completed its roles as ASEAN 2020 Chairman and Chairman of the United Nations Security Council in January 2020, actively supported other countries in pandemic prevention, continued to carry out many diplomatic activities and deepened international cooperation.

By Giang Tu, Vietnam Business Forum