Vietnam overwhelmingly won its election to the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure with 182 out of 187 valid votes.

A meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Photo: VNA)

The UN General Assembly also elected 17 other new members of the ECOSOC on October 21 to serve the three-year term beginning on January 1, 2016.

This is the second time Vietnam has been elected to the ECOSOC. The country first served on the ECOSOC from 1998 through 2000.

The re-election marks a new step forward in the country’s efforts to implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and proactive and active international integration in line with Resolutions of the 11th National Party Congress and the Political Bureau.

It also demonstrates the international community’s confidence in Vietnam and their acknowledgment of national construction and defence achievements as well as its contributions to the UN and common efforts for a better world.

Talking with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent immediately after the election results were announced, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said Vietnam is well aware of its great responsibility as a new member of the ECOSOC, which takes on a pile of tasks in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by world leaders at a UN summit last September.

Vietnam will take an active part in ECOSOC activities, mobilise social involvement, contribute to revamping the operation of the UN’s development system and effectively make progress on development cooperation to successfully implement the agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to poverty reduction, sustainable and comprehensive economic growth and environmental protection, she pledged.

As one of the six UN agencies, the ECOSOC considers issues related to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and humanitarian affairs, and makes recommendations to promote respect for and exercise of human rights.

Vietnam’s election to the ECOSOC has received warm responses from international friends, who said they pin high hopes on the country and the other 53 members in realising the SDGs.

ECOSOC President, Ambassador Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea, congratulated Vietnam on its election, which, he said, took place after the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was approved last month. The agency is expected to play a crucial role in implementing the new agenda.

Expressing his pleasure to cooperate with a friendly country like Vietnam, Oh Joon said he hopes to partner closely with Vietnam in performing major tasks of the ECOSOC in his capacity as President.

ECOSOC Vice President, Argentinean Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval, said Vietnam’s election manifests UN members’ confidence in the country.

According to him, implementing the SDGs and inspecting budget allocations for development projects are main tasks for this year and next year, and Vietnam is one of the key players of the UN Group of 77 developing nations.

As a member of the ECOSOC, Vietnam will contribute its opinions on building policies, documents and activities of ECOSOC covering global socio-economic aspects.

The country will also have more opportunities to exchange experiences with international friends in socio-economic development.

Source: vietnam+