General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hailed the visit by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as of importance to strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the UN when receiving the UN chief in Hanoi on May 22.

The UN Secretary-General expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements in recent years, particularly in poverty eradication, social welfare, disease prevention, disaster aftermath mitigation, and climate change adaptation.

He highly valued the country’s role, status, and important contributions to maintaining regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Ban Ki-moon also lauded Vietnam’s efforts and its active and responsible participation in UN activities, including effectively implementing the “One UN” initiative, serving in the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term, working hard as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term, and sending officers to join UN peacekeeping activities in 2014.

He affirmed the UN and its member organisations are committed to enhancing cooperation with and support of Vietnam in the country’s socio-economic development and successful realisation of the Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

For his part, Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong spoke highly of efforts by the UN network and the Secretary-General himself that are centred on promoting the three pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights.

He acknowledged the UN’s initiatives and activities to deal with regional conflicts, reform peacekeeping activities, accelerate disarmament, and mobilise the international community’s joint strength in coping with pressing global issues.

He thanked the UN for its cooperation and assistance to Vietnam in overcoming war aftermath and rebuilding along with its financial, personnel, and technical aid for poverty elimination and socio-economic development.

The leader said Vietnam, as an active and responsible member of the international community, will continue taking part in the UN’s common activities for peace, security, and development in the region and the world.

At their meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Source: Vietnam+