Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security was debated at a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that was held in New York on January 30 under the chair of Vietnam.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN, speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

New York (VNA) – Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security was debated at a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that was held in New York on January 30 under the chair of Vietnam.

In his remarks, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said ASEAN has played an active role in UN activities, especially in peace-keeping, and lauded the grouping’s initiatives regarding preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and peace-building, as well as its main role in the evolving regional architecture.

ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi reviewed the progress in cooperation between the two sides, saying ASEAN shares visions and objectives with the UN.

The ten-member group’s efforts in building the ASEAN Community has received the support from partners, including the UN, he said, affirming that ASEAN commits to promoting multilateralism and working together with the UN to build “the future we want” and “the UN we need.”

UNSC member countries applauded the initiative to organise the first-ever UNSC meeting on ASEAN-UN cooperation, and backed ASEAN’s efforts in enhancing dialogue and collaboration through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

They stressed the significance of enhancing ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture, expressing hope that the group will carry forward its role in regional and global issues of shared concern.

The countries lauded the progress in ASEAN-UN cooperation, especially the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2011, and the effective implementation of the cooperation action plan during the 2016-2020 period and the building of a new action plan for the next five years.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN, highlighted the significance of strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional organisations, including ASEAN, saying the UN is a dynamic and trust-worthy partner of the bloc.

As ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021 tenure, Vietnam will make greater efforts to intensify the effective and comprehensive cooperation between the sides, focusing on such priority areas as conflict settlement, preventive diplomacy, disarmament, peace-keeping, counter-terrorism and maritime cooperation and security, he said.

The ambassador presented Vietnam’s proposals for ASEAN-UN cooperation in 2020 like improving the quality and efficiency of ASEAN member countries’ engagement in UN peace-keeping missions and promoting women’s role and contributions to peace and security.

Vietnam also proposed organising a high-level ASEAN-UN dialogue on sustainable development on the occasion of the ASEAN-UN Summit slated for October in the country./.

Source: VNA