Vietnam elected non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council

At the recently concluded election at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, USA, Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 term with 192/193 votes. Vietnam is one of five countries selected for the position and is the only member from the Asia-Pacific region.

With the above results, Vietnam will replace Kuwait at the UNSC from January 1, 2020.

Speaking at a regular press conference on June 6, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said that in preparation for joining the UNSC, Vietnam has actively implemented work on content, resources, personnel, information and propaganda, and built a coordination mechanism between relevant agencies; consulted and exchanged experiences with countries, UN agencies and international research organizations.

The UNSC has 15 members, including 5 permanent members and 10 members elected for two-year terms. This is the second time Vietnam has run for a seat on the UNSC.

Vietnam was a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2008-2009 term and assumed the role of UNSC President in July 2008 and October 2009.

As one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the Security Council was established to maintain international peace and security.

According to Article 39 of the United Nations Charter, the Security Council is the sole organ of the United Nations which shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, and shall recommend or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security.