Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, highlighted on behalf of ASEAN member states at an 5 October UN debate on the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in response to COVID-19.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN (Photo: VNA)

Also Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in New York this year, Quy delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly Second Committee’s general debate themed “Building Back Better after COVID-19: Ensuring a more equitable global economy, inclusive societies, and sustainable recovery”.

He noted that it is necessary to push for the universalisation of COVID-19 vaccines, care for vulnerable groups in society, transfer technology, and provide financial support for developing countries.

He spoke of ASEAN’s commitments and specific actions to reach sustainable development goals and combat the pandemic, including the formation of a fund for COVID-19 response.

Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, highlighted that post-pandemic global development goals need to be achieved and cover reducing poverty and inequality, developing the green economy, avoiding debt among poor countries, and boosting the engagement of the private sector.

Participating member nations said poor countries have borne the brunt of COVID-19, adding that economic downturns will certainly lead to inequality and social disorder.

Many called upon the international community, particularly developed countries, to fulfil their commitments to financing the fund for climate change response, offering investment, and ending unilateral economic sanctions.

Source: VNA