Comprehensive solutions needed to deal with root causes of conflicts: diplomat

A diplomat of Vietnam stressed the need for comprehensive solutions to root causes of conflicts while speaking at the UN Security Council’s open debate on November 16.

Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Chargé d’affaires, a.i., of Vietnam to the UN, held that though peace, cooperation, and development are the main trend at present, numerous challenges are still facing international peace and security.

To prevent and respond to those challenges, UN member states and agencies need to together enhance conflict prevention efforts by taking appropriate measures, especially through promoting the respect for international law, resolving conflicts by peaceful means, upholding the culture of peace, building trust, and setting up friendly relations among countries, he said.

Anh added conflict prevention efforts need cooperation among the main organs of the UN with full reference to member states.

The ambassador also emphasised the advantages of regional and sub-regional organisations in preventive diplomacy to prevent conflicts, and that Vietnam is ready to contribute to common efforts to maintain international peace and security and prevent conflicts.

At the open debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Vixen Kelapile, and President of the International Court of Justice Joan E. Donoghue affirmed that preventing conflicts is an important task of the UN.

They said apart from the UN Security Council playing the key role in maintaining international peace and security, other main organs of the UN can assist in dealing with conflicts and promoting preventive diplomacy while regional and sub-regional organisations can help boost dialogue and trust building.

UN member states recognised the importance of cooperation in preventive diplomacy among the main UN organs so as to respond to global challenges, particularly emerging ones. Many of them underlined the necessity to handle root causes of conflicts and strengthen the role of regional and sub-regional organisations. They also welcomed the role of the Peacebuilding Commission.