United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is more than satisfied with the role Viet Nam has played at the world body.
In an interview with Viet Nam News Agency prior to his visit to Ha Noi for the UN-ASEAN summit on October 28-30, the UN chief said Viet Nam had been a very responsible member and strengthened the partnership between Viet Nam and the UN since it joined the organisation in 1977.
He cited Viet Nam's contribution to peace and security in the region and the world through its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council during the 2009-10 term, and its active role in the UN Millennium Development Goals project, noting that the country was likely to meet most of its own objectives within five years.
Ban said he was particularly grateful for Viet Nam's contribution to the Delivering as One initiative of the UN and said he hoped for further leadership from the nation in working together with the UN on major issues, such as climate change, development goals and human rights.
"Working as the chair of ASEAN this year again is a testament of your growing role as a global and regional leader, and I wish you all the best at the forthcoming ASEAN-UN Summit and also at ASEAN Summit ," said the UN Chief.
"I am looking forwards to further strengthening the relationship between the UN and ASEAN as a whole as your country is chairing this ASEAN-UN Summit and chair of ASEAN," he said.
Regarding the role of ASEAN as a regional organisation in the international arena and in its relationship with the UN, especially when Viet Nam was ASEAN Chair in 2010, the UN Secretary General said ASEAN and the UN had maintained a very good co-operative relationship.
Ban said that just after he became UN Secretary General in 2007, ASEAN and the UN had signed a memorandum of understanding. He added that he would take part in the summit this year, describing it as a good mechanism that deserved to be strengthened.
He said he hoped that Viet Nam, as chair of ASEAN, would demonstrate great leadership in furthering co-operation between the UN and ASEAN.
The UN chief also noted that ASEAN had contributed greatly to UN peace-keeping operations as well as to many humanitarian efforts in Haiti and Pakistan.
Discussing future co-operation between ASEAN and the UN in terms of security, development and human rights, the UN chief suggested the bloc consolidate further and also expand co-operative relations with South Korea, China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Russia.
Ban Ki-moon also pledged to further strengthen the ASEAN-UN partnership in his capacity as UN Secretary General. "We want to see an increasing role for ASEAN within the UN system," he said.
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