UN Secretary-General arrives in Hanoi

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres touched down in Hanoi Friday to start his two-day visit to Vietnam on Oct. 21 and 22.

Made at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the visit « took place in the context of Vietnam celebrating 45 years of accession to the U.N. and having successfully completed its role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and was elected as member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, » the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Le Thi Thu Hang, told the press on Thursday.

Secretary General Guterres is expected to co-chair the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the U.N. with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

He will also greet Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, hold talks with President Phuc, and meet Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Vietnam became the 149th member of the U.N. on Sep. 20, 1977 and since then has always been a reliable, active partner and has made many important contributions to the organization’s missions.

Cooperation between Vietnam and the U.N. is constantly being consolidated and strengthened, with Vietnam participating more actively and responsibly in all key areas of the U.N., contributing to enhancing the country’s position and prestige in the international arena.

Vietnam is one of 14 countries elected by the General Assembly to be a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025 in a vote on Oct. 11, marking the second time Vietnam has been elected to the council after the first time in 2013 for the 2014-2016 term.

Guterres, former Prime Minister of Portugal, was elected UN Secretary-General on Jan. 1, 2017.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2021.

By Vu Anh – VnExpress.net – October 20, 2022