Overview of the official visit to Vietnam of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

On the morning of October 21, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Hanoi, beginning an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's participation in the UN. In the afternoon of the same day, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted an official welcoming ceremony for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The visit was made at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, taking place in the context that Vietnam has just successfully completed its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

At the official talks with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Mr. Guterres affirmed that Vietnam is one of the indispensable members of the United Nations, has made, is making and will make meaningful contributions to the common work of the United Nations.

During the visit, on the afternoon of October 21, at the Party Central Committee Headquarters, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam consistently implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations; and is an active and responsible member of the international community.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General particularly emphasized and hoped that Vietnam would promote its active role in inclusive development, and at the same time, have policies and measures to continue to demonstrate its leading role in responding to climate change. For its part, the United Nations will continue to actively and closely cooperate with Vietnam.

On the morning of October 22, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sincerely thanked the UN for its valuable contributions and support in helping Vietnam rebuild the country during the very difficult post-war period as well as in the current comprehensive renovation and international integration process. Over the past 45 years, the UN has always been a leading and reliable partner and a long-term companion of Vietnam in every stage of the country's development. Photo: VGP

Also on the morning of October 22, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested that the UN continue to pay attention to and promote increased connectivity between the Vietnamese National Assembly and UN activities, between UN agencies and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as well as other relevant multilateral mechanisms.

Discussing the East Sea issue with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the UN Secretary-General welcomed Vietnam's initiatives and affirmed that the United Nations always provides maximum support within the framework of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On the evening of October 21, at the International Convention Center (Hanoi), President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Secretary-General António Guterres chaired the ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the United Nations (September 20, 1977 - September 20, 2022). This is a highlight of the two-day working visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Vietnam.

In his speech, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that becoming the 149th member of the United Nations on September 20, 1977 marked the beginning of a new historical journey in building and defending the Fatherland of Vietnam. That journey has witnessed Vietnam resurrecting from the ruins of war, implementing innovation, integrating deeply into the international community, and rising to become a developing country with a dynamic economy, achieving middle income with a high Human Development Index (HDI).

At the ceremony, the UN Secretary-General also told the story of Vietnam's memorable journey, from not long ago when previous generations of UN staff had to provide food aid to Vietnam, a country devastated by war, isolated and facing famine, to now, Vietnam itself is sending peacekeepers to help people in some of the most desperate places in the world.

As part of his official visit to Vietnam, on the afternoon of October 22, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited the General Department of Hydrometeorology (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

The UN Secretary-General highly appreciated the role of the General Department of Hydrometeorology and said that not only weather and hydrological forecasts but also other forecast products of Vietnam also provide useful services to people in the country and countries in the region.

Then, on the afternoon of October 22, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited the Diplomatic Academy and attended a meeting and talk with representatives of Vietnamese youth and students chaired by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Photo: International Newspaper.

The UN Secretary General affirmed that Vietnam is a country with a long history of fighting for independence and national development, so the young generation of Vietnam can bring that experience to help other nations overcome challenges. Photo: International Newspaper.

On this occasion, the leader of the world's largest multilateral organization visited the Ho Chi Minh Monument Site.

On the afternoon of October 22, despite his busy schedule, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi. The UN Secretary-General and the President stopped at the calligraphy table, where he was given the eight words "World Peace - Happy People". This is a cultural and experiential activity in the UN Secretary-General's official visit to Vietnam.

Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh presented a model of Hoan Kiem Lake turtle to the Secretary General.

In addition to visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, he also visited the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and the Temple of Literature. Today (October 23), the UN Secretary-General left Vietnam, successfully concluding his two-day official visit with many activities./.