Later, from September 21 to 24, the President and the Vietnamese delegation will attend a general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session and hold a number of bilateral activities in the US.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said President Phuc’s trip reflects Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and diversification. The policy was adopted at the 13^th National Party Congress. Giang said the visit is of great significance to the ties between Vietnam and Cuba.

'The visit reflects Vietnam’s priority for relations with traditional friends. This is a historic visit because it is the first visit to Cuba after Vietnam successfully organized the 13^th National Party Congress and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is the first foreign leader to visit Cuba after Cuba’s 8^th National Party Congress. The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s solidarity with and support for Cuba,' said Giang.

At the  general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session, Vietnam promoted its image as a country with dynamism, innovation, love for peace, and aspiration for development as well as its responsibility and contribution to the UN and the international community. This will be an occasion for Vietnam to reiterate its commitments to achievements at the UN, the UN Security Council, and other UN agencies including its bid to gain membership at the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023-2025 tenure.

President Phuc plans to meet state leaders of other countries and American partners to discuss ways to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and recover post-pandemic. At the same time, he will work to promote the support and transfer of COVID-19 vaccines.