Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, minister-counsellor and chargé d’affaires ad interim of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation and dialogue in addressing global security challenges.
Speaking at a debate in New York co-hosted by the permanent missions of Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations, he expressed concern over the current international security environment and stressed the need to advance disarmament efforts.
He called on countries to strengthen solidarity and multilateralism in order to build trust and shared understanding on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Vietnamese representative also reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled stance and commitment to these efforts, noting the country’s determination to serve as president of the 11th review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in a balanced, transparent and inclusive manner.
The discussion was co-sponsored by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Columbia University’s Frontiers of Science Programme.
Nearly 100 participants attended the event, including representatives from United Nations agencies, member states, scholars and students from universities in New York.
Delegates expressed concern over the increasingly complex geopolitical environment and the risks posed by an intensifying arms race and ongoing international conflicts.
They highlighted the importance of the global disarmament process and efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including through international treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Participants also stressed the need for continued dialogue, stronger cooperation and greater public awareness, particularly among young people, about the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons.
They emphasised the role of multilateral cooperation in efforts to eliminate nuclear threats permanently.
Delegates expressed strong support for Vietnam’s upcoming role as president of the 11th review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, scheduled to take place in New York from April to May this year.
In 2022, the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/77/51, designating March 5, the date the treaty entered into force in 1970, as the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.
The resolution aims to raise public awareness of the importance of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation for international peace and security, and encourages member states, international organisations, the public and the media to mark the day through educational activities and initiatives.