UN should optimise mediation tools: Vietnamese ambassador

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN (Photo: VNA)

Addressing a UN Security Council session on the mediation and settlement of disputes on August 29, the Vietnamese ambassador said it is necessary to promote the role of the UN Secretary-General and supporting agencies, as well as UN coordination with other regional and sub-regional organisations to help countries deal with the roots of disputes.

The diplomat highlighted the leading role of the UN in preventing disputes and coping with them using peaceful measures.

He also stressed the role of regional organisations in maintaining world peace and security.

He noted that ASEAN has made active contributions to strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding, promoting a cooperative and friendly environment, building and implementing regulations and codes of conduct in the region and applying measures to build trust and preventive diplomacy to control differences and settle disputes on the basis of respecting international law.

At the event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that amidst complicated and widespread disputes, the international community should show determination to find peaceful solutions, including meditation.

The UN is willing to support the efforts through the strengthening of the role of the Secretary-General as well as the Secretary-General’s representatives, envoys, supporting agencies and High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, as well as the enhancement of partnerships with regional and international meditation experts.

Mediation and dispute settlement are feasible if parties strengthen mutual understanding with high political determination, he said.

The UN leader also stressed that the UN Security Council should better use existing mediation tools and spread a clearer message to prioritise the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Representatives of member countries supported the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures, while welcoming the UN’s meditation efforts over the years.

Venezuela, a representative of the Non-Aligned Movement, underlined that all mediation measures should consider legitimate interest and receive agreement of all relevant parties, avoiding bias and ensuring equality with respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity without interfering in the internal affairs of countries./.

VNA