Mr. Phuc, speaking at an online NAM Summit on Monday hosted by Azerbaijan president Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, said the Vietnamese government has made an all-out effort to fight the epidemic while ensuring social welfare so that no one is left behind. He called for support for multilateralism and international solidarity and persistently pursuing multilateral commitments.

The NAM should continue to play a leading role in promoting respect for the law, democratizing international relations, opposing power-seeking political behavior, lifting sanctions and unilateral embargoes, and responding to the UN Secretary General’s appeal for a global ceasefire to maintain an international environment of peace and stability.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc calls for stronger Non-Aligned Movement cooperation to fight COVID-19 during an online NAM Summit on May 4, 2020 (Photo: VGP)

Mr. Phuc said "Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair for 2020, has been hosting discussions and promoting experience sharing and cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control within ASEAN and with its partners."

"As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam has actively cooperated with the WHO, the UN Forum, and other multilateral forums. Vietnam has sent medical supplies and equipment abroad and contributed to the UN COVID-19 Response Fund. Vietnam is ready to cooperate with and support the Non-Aligned Movement," he said. 

NAM members issued a joint statement supporting multilateralism and the role of international organizations in general, and the UN and the WHO in particular, while calling for enhanced international cooperation.

They condemned and called for the lifting of unilateral embargoes that violate the UN Charter and international law, and target some of its member states. They agreed to establish a Non-Aligned Movement task force to build a database that will track basic humanitarian and medical needs of NAM members.