The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at the ministerial open debate chaired by Vietnam, last week adopted a presidential statement urging all member states to fully comply with the UN Charter while recognizing the critical importance of the Charter to the maintenance of international peace and security.

The statement was adopted at a Security Council open debate on the topic of “Maintenance of international peace and security upholding the UN Charter” at the UN headquarters in New York on January 9, 2020, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh chaired the debate.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Central) at a Security Council open debate on Jan 9. Photo: News.cn

“The Security Council calls on member states to fully comply with the Charter of the United Nations. In this regard, the Council calls on all member states to promote and uphold the Charter, including through raising public awareness of the Charter and the importance of compliance with the Charter in the maintenance of international peace and security,” according to the statement.

“The Council also stresses the need for enhanced inclusive dialogue in the interest of all member states to share different experiences, national best practices and lessons learned in implementing their obligations under the Charter,” said the statement.

The council stressed the importance of commitment to the Charter on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on June 26, 2020, adding that “the Council reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations.”

“The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations, and in this context, underscores the need for all states and international and regional organizations and others to have respect for the Charter,” the statement showed.

“The Council encourages the United Nations Secretary-General to continue his efforts to assist member states and regional organizations in upholding the Charter,” the statement noted.

The Council also underlined the importance of the role of regional and sub-regional organizations and arrangements and of cooperation with them and stressed its determination in upholding the UN Charter in all of its activities.

Vietnam, as taking the presidency of the Security Council for January 2020, highlights the implementation of the UN Charter, multilaterialization, and further cooperation between ASEAN and the UN.

There are clear signposts that Hanoi supports ASEAN centrality in reinforcing an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture, as well as the UN’s central role in the global multilateral system.