Communist Review - In 2020, the United Nations (UN) is celebrating its 75th anniversary (October 24, 1945 - October 24, 2020). This is also the celebration of Vietnam's 75th anniversary (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2020). Over the past three quarters of the century, Vietnam has always accompanied the UN in promoting common goals for peace, cooperation, prosperity, social progress and the two sides are moving towards a future partnership for peace and sustainable development.

The United Nations: 75 years of contribution to peace and development

75 years ago when World War II ended, it left unprecedented casualties and losses in human history. From the ashes of this war, on October 24, 1945, the UN was established with the determination to “prevent war disasters for future generations”. Learning from failures of the League of Nations⁽¹⁾  due to the lack of full participation of countries, especially major countries, and the recognition of war as an instrument of international dispute settlement, the UN was founded to maintain international peace and security through the prevention and elimination of threats to international peace and security, acts of aggression and promotion of cooperation and friendship between countries in order to deal with international economic, social, cultural or humanitarian issues. The UN is expected to become the hub for coordinating international action to achieve these shared goals.

The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations between member states, which are the principles of sovereignty equality, goodwill to implement international commitments, settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, cooperation and mutual assistance in accordance with the Charter. Most importantly, for the first time, the threat or use of force against territorial integrity, national political independence and threats to international peace and security is prohibited in international relations. These principles form the founding document of modern international law and UN member states are bound by in every single aspect of international relations during the past 75 years.

The UN operates under the mechanism of “each member has one vote”, meaning that each country has an equal and substantial voice in making decision and policies of the UN regardless of its geographical position, political institutions or level of development. The UN has six main bodies with different functions and tasks to promote the concretization of set goals. In which, the General Assembly is composed of representatives from all member states that have the power to make decisions on the structure and organization of the UN and make recommendations on all matters under the Charter. The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, making compulsory decisions for member states to address threats of aggression, destruction of peace. The Economic and Social Council is the main organ responsible for policy formulation, coordinating international efforts to promote the implementation of international commitments on development, international economic, social, cultural, educational, medical, humanitarian challenges. The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial body of the UN that is charged with settling disputes between states by peaceful means and giving legal advisory opinions  at the request of other UN agencies. The Trusteeship Council is assigned to provide supervision for trust territories⁽²⁾ and suspended its operations after the independence of the last remaining United Nations trust territory (Palau). The UN Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General services the other principal organs of the United Nations. In fact, it conducts research and policy recommendations to UN agencies to solve problems within its functions and tasks. In addition, The UN System includes a multitude of  funds, development programs, 20 specialized agencies, 5 Socio-Economic Committees located in regions of the world and many other consultative agencies.

Historical fact shows that for the  UN to successfully carry out its mission, the decisive factor is the will and policies of each member state regardless of its level of development and tireless efforts of all nations, the people's earnest desire to live in peace, to develop sustainably and promote equality in international relations. With comprehensiveness, universality and the determination of member states in implementing the principles and goals set out under the Charter, the UN has obtained numerous achievements in maintaining peace, security, promoting development and progress in the world during the past 75 years.

In term of peace  and security, the UN has made an effective contribution to preventing a new world war or a destructive war, building various important international frameworks and mechanisms for disarmament, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, handling non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, cybersecurity, etc. It serves as an intermediary to  conciliate, reduce stress, settle conflicts, assist post-conflict reconstruction, especially through the deployment of the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO)⁽³⁾, promote the decolonization movement, protecte principles of independence, national self-determination and protest against colonization. The UN peacekeeping operations play an important role in restoring peace, ending conflict, and assisting the reconstruction process in many regions and countries around the world. In recognition of the United Nations' great contributions to international peace, the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to the UN Peacekeeping Operations (1988) and to Mr. Kofi Anna, its Secretary - General (2001).

In the field of development, since 1960, the General Assembly has continuously proposed development strategies for each decade to mobilize international cooperation for common development goals, especially in developing countries. Taking advantage of their expertise and global presence, UN agencies such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO)... have directly supported countries around the world with capital, knowledge, and innovation experiences for economic, social and cultural, educative and health development. It is also a forum for exchange of major economic, development and equality issues in international life, thereby forming universal values ​​of thinking and socio-economic development cooperation, identifying common goals for the well-being of people around the world. Typically, they are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and many other substantial policies.

The UN is also the place to negotiate and develop important international documents and treaties about human rights such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights  (1966) which underpinned more than 80 international conventions and declarations later adopted to enhance international cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights. The UN focuses on ensuring the realization of human rights through mechanisms and agencies such as the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a system of human rights treaty bodies.

In short, history has challenged and affirmed the important role of the UN as an indispensable foundation for a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable world. From 51 members when it was established in 1945, the UN now has 193 member states, becoming the largest, most comprehensive multilateral mechanism and the widest scale of operations. The UN system has been gradually improved to meet the increasingly diverse and complex requirements.

Vietnam - an active and responsible member of the United Nations

Recognizing the importance of the UN, not long after the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the UN, in early 1946, President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the President of the UN General Assembly and many member countries to request admission of Vietnam as the UN member state. Through all the ups and downs of history, on September 20, 1977, Vietnam officially became a UN member state. It is Vietnam's enduring struggle to defend national independence, freedom and national unification that contribute positively and substantially to the realization of the UN's lofty goals which are peace, independence and equality between nations and self-determination. It also contributes to the end of colonialism in the 60s of the twentieth century.

Over 40 years of UN membership has always been marked by the comprehensive and effective cooperation between Vietnam and the Organization. The UN's assistance to Vietnam has numerous practical significations. Right after Vietnam joined the UN while the country was devastated by war and the embargo has been in place, on the basis of Resolution No. 32/3 (1977) of the General Assembly under the impulse of Vietnam, specialized agencies under the UN development system have provided Vietnam basic necessities, supported it totackle war consequences and socio-economic challenges during the reconstruction period. In the following stages and especially in the renovation process of Vietnam, these organizations continue to support Vietnam to improve its level of production, foster human resources in science and technique, develop infrastructure, connect Vietnam with regional and international forums and with other countries in order to exchange experiences, transfer technology in different fields, improve capacity, perfect legal framework, policies, promote industrialization, modernization and international integration and concretize global development goals. For its part, Vietnam becomes increasingly involved in the activities of the UN and has made significant contributions to the three main pillars of the United Nations, namely peace - security, development and human rights.

In the field of peace - security, Vietnam has actively upheldthe role of the UN and themultilateralism, promoted respect for the UN Charter, international law, equality in international relationsbetween nations and the self-determination of peoples, conflicts resolution by peaceful means, opposed acts of oppression and aggression, unilateral embargo in international relations. The country has seriously fulfilled its obligations stipulated in treaties on disarmament, anti-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and inSecurity Council resolutions. Since 2014, Vietnam began participating in UN peacekeeping operations and sent military personnel on missions in remote places such as in South Sudan and Central African Republic.

For the second time in history, the United Nations voted almost unanimously (192 out of 193 votes) in favor of Vietnam becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term⁽⁴⁾. By 2020, Vietnam has successfully completed its task. It has promoted initiatives to comply with the Charter, enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as President of the Security Council in January 2020 and received broad support from UN member states. It has actively engaged in the general work of the Security Council, promoted dialogue, reduced tension and confrontation, found fair and reasonable approaches for tackling regional and international peace and security issues. The United Nations greatly appreciated Vietnam's efforts and experiences in term of national reconstruction and development, international and regional integration, thereby contributing to creating a favorable international environment for reform and development of the country.

In the field of development cooperation, Vietnam has always actively supported efforts and initiatives to build a sustainable economic - commercial and financial order, and strengthened international cooperation for sustainable development and human well-being, given priority to developing and underdeveloped countries. Although its level of development is still low compared to others countries in the region and the world, Vietnam is one of the most successful countries in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and is deeply appreciated by the international community who want to learn experiences from Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam has actively integrated the UN Sustainable Development Goals into its national socio-economic policies and strategies, demonstrating its strong determination to achieve successfully these goals. Vietnam is one of the countries to pilot the Delivering as One approach to reform the UN system at the country level. Typically, it was the opening of the first Green One UN House in the world in May 2015. During the outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam proved to be a successful model for good disease control and prevention, highly appreciated by the international community for providing fast and accurate information about pandemic. At the same time, Vietnam was requested to continue to inform about the transformation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to share experiences in epidemic prevention and control. Moreover, Vietnam has also donated 50,000 USD through the COVID-Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO). These tireless efforts are recognized and supported by countries so that Vietnam could hold the important positions in UN agencies such as a member of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)  and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for 2000-2002 tenure, member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the terms 1998-2000 and 2016-2018.

In the field of human rights, Vietnam has always upheld the policies of the Communist Party and State of Vietnam on ensuring and promoting human rights according to international standards. It has actively fought against the politicization of human rights, supported an approach based on dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding, promoted the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural in conformity with common interests of developing countries. With its enhanced prestige and position, Vietnam has been elected member of the Commission Human Rights (the predecessor of the Human Rights Council) for the 2001-2003 tenure and the Human Rights Council from 2014-2016. Vietnam has signed since the early days 7 of 9 main international conventions on human rights, has brilliantly fulfilled its membership obligations under these conventions and leaded several dialogues with 5 human rights treaty bodies. Vietnam's best practices, especially in implementing recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) have been recognized and shared by the United Nations and many countries in the region.

Vietnam - United Nations: Partnership for the future

In the third decade of the twenty-first century, global challenges become more acute, multidimensional and interconnected. In recent years, complicated evolutions in politics, security, economy, society, environment and the decline of trust in international law due to unilateral actions, power politics, competition between major countries and the rise of populism, nationalism and protectionismare challenging multilateralism in general and the UN in particular. The COVID-19 epidemic is a wake-up call for the international community to see more clearly the meaning and vitality of multilateralism and the UN role in a world closely interconnected and interdependent where every single country or organization cannot adequately and effectively solve global problems by itself. On the other hand, the UN also needs to reform towards greater efficiency, democracy and transparency, thereby better meeting the requirements of the majority of developing countries members to respond to increasingly complex global challenges.

After nearly 35 years of doing renovation and 10 years of implementing the Platform for National Construction during the Period of Transition toward Socialism (amended in 2011) of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country has entered the new strategic period with comprehensive reform and international integration and high potentials, prestigious position and reputation. Vietnam is also actively building the national socio-economic development strategy in the new period towards the goal that by 2030, it will basically complete most of its commitments on economic integration commitments and main free trade agreements as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN. Vietnam sets a target by 2045- the year of 100th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam which becomes now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it will become a high-income industrialized country.

In that context, multilateral diplomacy has been identified by the Communist Party and State of Vietnam as the most important strategic orientation. As a result, the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has set out policies of “proactive and active international intergration”, “improving the quality and efficiency of multilateral diplomacy”, “active participation and promotion of Vietnam role in multilateral mechanisms, especially in ASEAN and the UN”. The Secretariat’s Directive No.25-CT/TW, dated August 28, 2018 on Promoting and elevating multilateral diplimacy until 2030, sets a goal of “playing a leading and mediating role at forums and multilateral organizations of strategic importance to the country, in accordance with national capabilities and conditions”.

In the coming time, Vietnam will successfully complete its role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2020-2021. It will continue to promote Vietnam's priorities such as dealing with the consequencies of post- war bombs and mines, post-conflict reconstruction, protection of civilians in armed conflict, strengthening UN peacekeeping operations and cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, especially ASEAN. It runs for a number of UN institutions such as the Human Rights Council (term 2023 - 2025), the Economic and Social Council, the President of the UN General Assembly and gradually runs a candidate for UN agencies. In addition, Vietnam actively implements the National Action Plan, the Agenda 2030, develops a strategy and framework for cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations after 2021.

On the basis of the above-mentioned important and favorable foundations, with the solidarity, unanimity and determination of the entire Communist Party, the whole people and the great achievements obtained during the renovation process, Vietnam will continue to reinforce the relationship with the UN, promote multilateralism, respect international law and the Charter, substantially contribute to the maintenance of peace, security and cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world, thereby enhancing the country's prestige and position, building and promoting the image of an innovative, dynamic and integrated Vietnam in the journey to the future of humanity./.

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(1) The League of Nations was established after World War I to prevent a global war

(2) The territories placed under an administrative authority by the League of Nations of the United Nations after World War I or separated from countries that were defeated in World War II

(3) As of September 2020, 74 United Nations peacekeeping missions have been deployed, of which 13 are currently in operation with a total of about 115,000 participants from 122 member states with budget of some 6.7 billion USD/year

(4) The first time was the 2008-2009 term

This article was published in the Communist Review, No. 952 (October 2020)