Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations. (Photo: Baoquocte)

Vietnam strongly supports upgrading the United Nations into a stronger and more effective organization that can fulfill its vital role of meeting the interests and concerns of member states and the international community, said Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, on March 10.

The official made the statement during the UN General Assembly’s fifth consultation on “Our Common Agenda” themed “Enhancing International Cooperation," according to VNA.

This process should be open, based on wide consultations, and led by member states. Therefore, there should be a better mechanism for improving inputs of the UN, including its bodies and agencies, Tra suggested.

The diplomat added success of the UN also depends on the improvement of the institutions and working methods, stressing that meaningful reform should ensure the widest possible participation from a variety of actors while maintaining the inter-governmental nature of the organization.

Tra also reaffirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to furthering the bold agenda put forth in the report and that the country looks forward to concrete steps and plan ahead with a view to contributing effectively to the common work of the UN and the international community.

The meeting also touched upon proposals outlined within the Joint Program of Action Report of the UN Secretary-General regarding improving UN operational efficiency to adapt to current and future requirements.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres. (Photo: UN Missions)

As part of his opening remarks at the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic were unlike any other since World War II, according to VOV.

These difficulties, together with the influence of global issues, forced multilateral institutions, including the UN, to actively reform so they could sufficiently adapt to current and future requirements.

He, therefore, called on the entire international community to unite in response to these challenges and devise measures and ways to work towards a better life for people, especially women, children, and vulnerable people.

Many countries used the platform to underline the necessity of reforming the UN in a more efficient and transparent way, as well as building towards a UN 2.0 with more participation from young people, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

According to the UN, "Our Common Agenda" is an agenda of action, designed to strengthen and accelerate multilateral agreements – particularly the 2030 Agenda – and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

The agenda contains recommendations across four broad areas for renewed solidarity between peoples and future generations, a new social contract anchored in human rights, better management of critical global commons, and global public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all. "Our Common Agenda" presents the Secretary-General's vision on the future of global cooperation through an inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism.

The agenda builds on many of the ideas that emerged during the year-long global listening exercise conducted in the context of the 75th anniversary where more than 1.5 million people in all 193 Member States voiced strong public support for international cooperation and a desire for more effective, more inclusive and more networked multilateralism in the future.

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