Relations between the United Nations and Vietnam are considered a typical partnership for development in the 45-year journey that began not long after the nation's reunification in 1977.

Joining this largest global organization has opened a new chapter in Vietnam’s foreign affairs, enabling the country to get international help for its reconstruction and to contribute more to the common work, according to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam has always been a reliable partner and an active member who made many important contributions to the implementation of the UN missions.

Vietnam and UN representatives at the flag-raising ceremony for Vietnam's admission to the United Nations in 1977. Photo: VNA

In the 45 years of relations, the cooperation covers efforts in reconstruction and international integration, contributing to multilateral missions, promoting its role in UN bodies, and strengthening UN treaties. 

Shortly after the admission, the UN issued a resolutioncalling for assistance for Vietnam's post-war reconstruction, eradicating hunger, and reducing poverty. In the early days of reconstruction from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the UN was one of the leading organizations to help Vietnam realize action programs on economic and legal reforms, supporting the country in its development and international integration.

In the following years, Vietnam has contributed to the organization’s  work, including the planning and implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Accordingly, Vietnam has actively participated in the UN cooperation programs on the environment, climate change, disease prevention and control, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, and helping disadvantaged people.

The Southeast Asian country has also actively cooperated with the UN to implement trilateral cooperation initiatives to help countries in Africa in the fields of agriculture, food, education, health care, hunger eradication, and poverty alleviation. It is part of the process by which the two sides work together and promote common goals.

Since the second half of the 1990s, Vietnam has participated in a number of the UN’s leading bodies, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

It has twice been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the main body responsible for peace and security, for the 2008-2009 and 2020-2021 terms.

During the past decades, Vietnam has adhered to the principles of the UN Charter and important documents such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to contribute to peace, security, and development in the region. Accordingly, Vietnam has actively promoted cooperation between the UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on a wide range of issues, responding to global challenges such as the environment, climate change, and pandemics.

Regarding the South China Sea issues, Vietnam always emphasizes respect for international law and UNCLOS to ensure peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation, and legitimate rights and interests of neighboring countries with a focus on peaceful settlement of disputes and without complicating the situation. This is also the common view and principle of ASEAN.

Vietnam's peacekeepers join the UN Peacekeeping Missions. Photo: The Vietnam delegation to the UN

In the 45 years of cooperation, Vietnam has always ensured the combination of national interests and responsible contributions to the UN’s work. It is part of Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and being a friend and responsible member of the international community.

For the country’s development strategies by 2030 with a vision to 2045, Vietnam is believed to promote its proactive role in the world’s affairs, for peace, security, and development, and effective settling of global challenges.

With UN support, Vietnam has made strides in attaining millennium goals that secure better living conditions for its millions of people.

The country has built the national action plan for implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which cover No Poverty; Zero Hunger; Good Health and well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Clean Water and Sanitation; Affordable and Clean Energy; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Reduced Inequalities; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action; Life Below Water; Life on Land; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and Partnership for the Goals.

In August 2022, the UN and the Government of Vietnam signed the new One Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation (CF), an agreement for the partnership in the 2022-2026 period.

The new move demonstrates the cooperation between Vietnam and all UN resident and non-resident agencies in Vietnam to accelerate progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the next five years.

It highlights the joint commitment to deliver sustainable development for all.  

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis said through the CF Vietnam can tap into its adaptive, industrious and growing population to spur long-term sustainable development for all while protecting the planet as the UN continues the principle of ‘leaving no one behind” as its fundamental commitment in Vietnam.