Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy (first, right of bottom line), head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN attends an online session of the UN Security Council (Photo: VNA)

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in New York, the diplomat expressed his belief that Vietnam will continue to increase contributions in various aspects of the council, especially in the efforts to resume peace in the Middle East and Africa next year.

According to the ambassador, Vietnam and Indonesia have no differences in viewpoints in major issues in the UNSC in 2020. Next year, when Vietnam is the only ASEAN member country to have a seat in the council, the nation is expected to achieve more successes despite challenges due to the changing global situation, especially those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regarding the reasons behind the common statements and announcements of Vietnam and Indonesia in the council in 2020, Djani said that both countries want to hold aloft the ASEAN flag in the UNSC and show the world that ASEAN share many similar viewpoints with the world in many issues.

He underscored that both sides hope to promote the core values of ASEAN in the UNSC. For example, in security and peace, the way that ASEAN member countries approach to the issue is how to reach consensus and how to make countries talk with each other, the ambassador elaborated.

Djani stressed that the message that both Indonesia and Vietnam hoped to deliver is the wish that all members of the council to reach consensus and solidarity to deal with global issues.

Moreover, with the joint statements, Vietnam and Indonesia can support each other with their strengths. For example, Indonesia has a lot of experiences in peacekeeping as the country had sent many officers and soldiers to join the peacekeeping forces in conflicted areas around the world, he said.

The diplomat held that Vietnam and Indonesia have contributed to making practical changes in the council.

He explained that both countries are members of the 10 elected members (E10) of the council, many of whom are heads of sub-committee for different issues. The group members are willing to cooperate to give a common opinion in the council, thus can influence the decision-making of the council. They can share experience and knowledge on issues of their strengths in the council, he added.