Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, who was elected Second Vice Chairman of the ILC at this 70^th session, made the statement on the sidelines of the event. The ILC scheduled its 70th session at the UN headquarters in New York from April 30 to June 1, and at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 2 to August 10.

Contributing to a report on protecting of the environment from armed conflicts, Vietnam proposed expanding the “Occupying State” concept to “Occupying Power”, which includes occupation by international organizations to carry out peacekeeping or security missions. The change was approved by the rapporteur for the report.

Mr Thao said the Vietnam’s participation at the event reflects Vietnam’s policy of being a responsible member of the international community.